Who's Afraid of Jerusalem?

I just had one of the most interesting phone conversations of my life. The director of this movie in Jerusalem called me and we talked about it. You could say it was a phone interview, but that is not how people audition in this business. It is definitely not how I have ever gotten a part. They always want to see you face to face. Hearing someone's voice while looking at their headshot tells the casting director absolutely nothing.

We tried to do Skype, but that did not work out. I don't know how well Skype works in Israel, but in China, it is always hit and miss. It only took a few disconnections for the director to suggest we talk on the phone.

I have definitely been offered the part. No further auditions are necessary. Apparently, the producer I met in Hong Kong has enough pull and the director liked my “American attitude”.

Why would they even want me in the first place? That's a good question. The character is an American who goes to Jerusalem and disrupts the lives of the main characters. I think I can play American. She is also a dancer. There is only one dance scene, but it is pivotal, so they want someone who can actually dance rather than an actor who can learn a few basic moves.

How did I even get the part? That's a more interesting question. One of the producers is in Hong Kong on vacation. He saw me dance onstage and wanted me to fly to Jerusalem for an audition. To make life easier, I suggested he come watch me play Honey. That was my audition. The character in this movie is nothing like Honey, but she is a similar outsider who does not fit in with everyone else. If I go to Jerusalem to film a movie, I think I could play an outsider who does not fit in.

I still have not signed anything, but from talking to the director, he seems to think it is a done deal. A million things can still go wrong, but it looks like I might be taking a trip to Jerusalem in the near future. Assuming I can do it without losing my day job.