Landing A Major Motion Picture Role
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by: kaylatyler19
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Word Count: 516
It all started with an e-mail from casting director Margery Simkin. It didn’t matter to me or to my two best girls that the casting information was sent out to a gazillion other actors hoping to be part of the next James Cameron blockbuster success. We had that much trust in Shakira that when she said through song that “you can have it all, anything you want you can make it yours”, we firmly believed we can have anything we want in the world.
Topping our trio’s list of wants is landing the lead role in a major motion picture. The moment we got the casting information on the latest James Cameron feature film about onna bugeisha or female samurais, my best girls and I had a “This Is It” party that was all about motivating each other. We exchanged words of encouragement and brought out our medieval swords and complementing medieval armors to take the casting audition head on, Charlie’s Angels of ancient Japan-style.
I was to audition for the part of Hojo Masako, a significant female icon in ancient Japan while my friends Kitty and Kay-Anne were to read the parts of Nakano Takeko and Tomoe Gozen respectively. We took short online courses for nihongo and we speak the language now as we would our native tongue. The roles also required sword-fighting skills that each of us decided to get our own synthetic SCA armor and sword.
As expected, we were called in again for the official read-through within a week’s time. Read-through day was more than a dream come-true seeing the other famous actors and actresses that we’ll be closely working with. The last thing I wanted was to look like star wannabes-cum social climbers that I acted anything but star-struck when in the presence of famous Asian co-actors such as Meiko Kaji, Rinko Kikuchi, Zhang Zi Yi and Ken Watanabe. Kitty, on the other hand, was already stalking Rinko Kikuchi to have her fake medieval samurai sword signed by the skilled sword-fighter actress while Kay-Anne seemed to have her medieval armor up whenever the dashing Ken Watanabe would read a line from the script.
I was hell bent on my rise to fame that I’ve pretty much memorized all my lines. I was taken aback that when it was my turn to speak, as Hojo Masako, Zhang Zi Yi also read out the lines. I was suppose to say aloud that there seems to be some confusion and before I could speak up, James Cameron himself took me to the side for a little talk. I expected an apology, for having confused my (lead) part with that of Zhang Zi Yi’s. I got what I wanted, an apology – the celebrated director was sorry that his team advised us to attend the read-through when were needed only during actual shooting. After all, stunt people didn’t have speaking lines, he further added to my utter disappointment.
About the Author
Darksword Armory Inc. is a company offering medieval swords and medieval armors. For more information, visit http://www.darksword-armory.com/bladesmiths.html
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