I was in Greenwood for six, long days and it was quite an experience. The first day while I was waiting for hair and makeup, I met two girls from Madison. Jane and Anna. They were besties. They were hilarious. I invited myself to their party.

Speaking of hair and makeup, you would not believe how serious both were taken. We had 5 a.m. call times most days and it took several hours to get everyone through. They took pictures the first day and each day we filmed we were supposed to have the exact look. Even down to the lipstick. You were told your color and that is what you wore the entire time. No outside makeup was allowed. Of course, I got busted using my own gloss. I am a rebel like that.

My hair will be billed separately in the credits. It was referred to as “the hive” and “armadillo shell” and “cyclone”. None of which are very flattering.

The last day on set our call time was 10:15 a.m. We wrapped at 3:15 a.m. Not p.m… a.m. SEVENTEEN flipping hours.
We filmed outside (lots of lighting) and every bug in the Delta was there for the big event. Around 1 a.m. I was attacked by a gang of crickets. Shortly after, it felt like something was crawling up my leg. I tried to scratch my left leg with my right foot and the heel of my shoe got caught in my hem. Not good. I lost my balance and fell into the bushes. If you don’t believe me just look for the indention my hair left in the Greenwood courthouse landscaping. Luckily, they weren’t filming at the time.

Top five reasons to never be a movie extra…

1. They molest your hair. The only thing teased more than my hair is a seven year old in a smocked onesie. And once it is done it is property of the studio. You sleep in a hairnet wrapped in toliet paper. And don’t even think about washing your hair. It isn’t in your contract.

2. You have no input on your onscreen spouse. And there are no onsite counseling services. Can you say “six day long blind date”?

3. There is a lot of downtime. I learned to play several new card games. Jane learned to knit. We refurbished a ’64 Mustang.

4. The food sucks. Nothing in the buffet line goes together. Corn beef? Check. Ravioli, black beans, and tuna salad? Check check check. And you can forget salt or flavor. They are taking a skip day. The “crew”, aka everyone but the extras, eats awesome food in a separate location. I’m really not bitter.

5. They film the same scene over and over and over. And then from different angles. It felt like Groundhog Day. Glad I wasn’t an extra in that one…

I know there are a ton of things I left out but I can’t seem to think. Maybe it is the sleep depravation. Maybe the bobby pins punctured my brain. I am just glad to be home.

More like Greenwood, Mississippi, but whatever. Remember when I told you about the casting call here? Well guess what? They called and I am headed to Greenwood to play a Jackson Jr. Leaguer in the benefit scene. No smarty pants, I didn’t give her my dress. And I don’t have a speaking role either. It is sort of like, hide your kids, hide your wife and hide your husband cause they’re casting errbody out here. (If you don’t know what I am talking about click here. I apologize for not sharing with you already. I am so dumb. For real.) It is true. My husband is in it. And our realtor. And our realtor’s wife. And my friend from work. And my friend’s neighbor’s sister’s doctor. We aren’t all in the same scenes so carpool is out the window. I got fitted for my costume a few weeks ago and since then I have been less than fired up. I will be wearing a two-tone brown burlap bridesmaids dress from the 60’s. It. Is. Hideous. I mean, I could handle it for one day but I am scheduled to be there for six. SIX days in the same ugly brown dress. Not to mention I wouldn’t walk down the street in the thing but I am supposed to wear it in a movie? I am however, perfectly aware that I could wear ugly brown for six (up to twelve hour) days and only end up on the cutting room floor. I can see it now. Opening weekend. All my family and friends at the Malco (you know, because they are all in it too) and NO sign of Wowie.

Me: Wait! You see that lady in the back corner?
You: No
Me: Yes in the back corner of the room, next to the exit, sort of in the shadows…
You: The one with the huge beehive?
Me: YES!! Do you see her?
You: Yes… is that YOU?
Me: No. But I was standing right behind her.

My friend Kathryn (Burkhalter, not Stockett) said, “Stop complaining. You are in the freaking movie”. Don’t get me wrong. It is exciting and will probably be a lot of fun. Who knows? I might be “discovered” and offered a leading role in an upcoming Dreamworks film. I will demand my own trailer and no ugly brown dresses. Run and tell that, homeboy.