L&O:SVU

So, last Friday I got the exiting opportunity to do some background work on "Law & Order: SVU."

I got the call from the casting agent on Thursday, who asked if I was free on Friday... and I said, "Well, I sure am!" (Cue me scrambling to clear my Friday schedule...). So, she said great, you'll be playing an "upscale restaurant go-er," call so-and-so number after 10:30 tonight to get all of the info, and bring two upscale dress/costume options (cue me tearing through my closet trying to find two suitable outfits).... I may of may not have made a trip to Gap that night....

So, I call the hotline number and got the info:

Call time: 9:30am

Location: A swanky steakhouse in the meatpacking district

Costume: Fall upscale attire with outer wear and all of the accessories

Cool. So, the next morning, here I am, ready to roll:

I arrived down to the restaurant, and was placed in the "holding room" with the other background-ers (some were to play NY police officers, detectives, the "victim" (how cool would that be?), the perp and fellow diners like myself). Said "holding room" was actually the upstairs bar of the restaurant. So.... I took a seat.... here:

Fun, huh? Sadly, no free mimosas or bloody marys... but the craft services table had a great breakfast for us all ( pancakes, eggs, yogurt, bagels, POPTARTS(!) and other 'grown up' breakfast specialities...)

The wardrobe director then came around to each of us to decide which outfit she wanted us to wear... Of course, she liked the outfit I didn't put on... so to the changing room I went......

Fast forward to the "restaurant go-ers" being seated at our tables. I was seated at a table of four. My "date" and I were out dining with another couple. We had our "wine" (Welch's Grape for the ladies and Welch's White Grape for the guys...) and menus. We were to be in the "hmmm... honey, what do you think you're going to order/well, I can't decide between the grilled salmon or the filet mignon" portion of the evening.  I was a bit bummed, because when I knew I was playing a patron in a restaurant, I thought I'd actually get some food. My former boss even told me I was a perfect fit for this role, as I'm such a good eater. Yes, I love food. But sadly, no food for me. Other people had cake, half-eaten salads and bread on their plates. Oh well.

So, once all of the cameras are in place, it's time to start rolling. Mariska Hargitay and Stephanie March were seated at the table right next to mine. Then, in walked some red-headed guy with orange Crocs and a chef's apron on who was to be talking to them at the table - turns out to be Mario Batali, the celebrity chef. Pretty cool.

They ran the same scene about 12 times, all the while my "friends" and I drank our "wine," chatted with the server and decided on our entrees.

Then we were sent back to the bar (err.. holding room) for about an hour and a half.

(Waiting to be called back downstairs.... about one minute before I decided I'd visit the craft services table for a donut and coffee.....)

My table was finally called back downstairs for the "end of dinner" scene, and guess what?!? I had actual, half-eaten food on my plate! It looked like half a Caesar Salad accompanied by a mashed up piece of meatball(?), with a side of hard artichoke dip. My "date" had a beet on his plate.... random.

Anyways... they did a couple more takes and called it a day! Those playing police officers then went on over to the Law & Order set, which was just a few blocks away at Chelsea Piers. 

I had my timecard signed, and my new friend Rose and I (Rose was the other girl at my table) headed for the subway.

All in all it was a great experience. The casting company I'm registered with also casts for "Gossip Girl," "Blue Bloods" and a couple other shows/movies filmed in the city, so I'll be submitted for those when a right role comes up, too. 

I have no idea if I'll be visible in this Law & Order episode, but if you want to tune in, it airs January 11th.... Look for me in the blue sleeveless dress and gold necklace ;)

Until next time ~

B.