I hadn't completely decided on staying when the local casting guy walked by with a clip board toting intern. He pointed at me, said "her," and conferred with the kid. Did Franco call for another awkward encounter with the ticket girl? Were they mad that I stashed a couple of oranges in my purse? Were they hand picking me to be in the next scene? Ding ding ding! Correct! They asked if I was willing to stay for the next scene and I answered with a polite and composed "Hell yeah!" (Honestly, you can't take me anywhere.) So as people were slowing finishing their meals and changing back into their everyday clothes, I sat there reading a book, waiting to be called to go back down to the set. Franco had chosen to eat at the table behind me and everyone was going up to him to get pictures and autographs. One lady was so desperate for an autograph that she handed him a paper plate to sign. Oh mountain people, you never cease to amaze me in all the ways that you don't understand how to interact with society. For awhile, I contemplated the idea of going up to Franco and introducing myself, so that he could put a real name with the face of the ticket girl. But I didn't want to be that kinda of girl. I mean, I've met celebrities before. Jimmy Carter....that guy from Bizarre Foods....the singer from some Athens band.... Okay, I didn't actually meet the guys from Bizarre Foods, but I sold him a tshirt. Good enough. With Franco, I knew I was just gonna stammer and say something stupid, and as much as I wanted a picture with him, I decided to play it cool. I'd talk to him after the scene.
After about an hour to waiting around, they finally called us back to the set. This scene was of the main character at a shooting gallery at the carnival, showing off how good he is at shooting things. They needed background actors to hang out and make it look like people actually went to rural hicktown carnivals. As we're setting up the shot, I catch Franco again staring at me. Well I told myself, I wasn't going to act like an idiot this time! As I'm standing there shivering in my thin dress and tiny cardigan, with Franco in a beanie and warm jacket looking like he's "cold," I ask him all nonchalantly "Ya cold?" He pauses, "Yep." For some reason, I have this idea in my head that I'm funny. I think that I can make people laugh or at least smile sometimes. And for some reason, this notion popped into my head right at this moment. So I responded by saying "At least you're not in a dress." Crickets. Now it may have been my imagination but I believe a hush fell over the production crew and all of their heads slowly turned to face me. I swear even one guy was shaking his head and looking down at his feet as if I had just insulted the pope. Franco just stared at me for an uncomfortable amount of time before turning around and doing whatever a director does. I'm not sure if what I said was offensive to him in some way. I later googled his stint as Oscar host last year and found out he had worn a dress at one point:
He does not make a pretty lady. Thankfully, he makes up for that by being extremely handsome. |
Whatever. First impressions are overrated anyways.
For some behind the scenes pictures and videos of the movie, check this out. It's Franco's website and he takes all these "artsy" photos and whatnot. After sifting through some of the silly hipster crap he does, there's actually some cool things on there. Enjoy!