Fun with Jane and Dick

As I mentioned, occassionally, Dick and I and the girls do some small-time modeling/acting on the side. It’s fun and it’s really nice to unexpectedly get a check in the mail every now and then.

I get a call last week from my agent saying that HGTV would like to use me for another Fine Living commercial. I’ve done a few of these and had a great time.

These kinds of commercials they shoot for Fine Living are usually a short tutorial clip of how one can entertain at their home simply and beautifully.

This one is sponsored by Hyundai and the premise of the script is that there is a hostess who has a SPA PARTY at her home for her good girlfriends. I’m one of the girlfriends.

ON SET: THE HOUSE

I absolutely LOVE the house where we are shooting at. It’s a historic, quaint Craftsman home, nostalgically decorated inside with some excellent old pieces. You can tell, cozy and comfort are important to this young couple that lives here…and they are actually the owners of a vintage furniture store with the same look, feel and style. Just FABULOUS!

Look at the chairs, fan, table and old books!

I love how this is put together and especially the painting of a fashion designer’s mannequin and how it’s presented on a projector screen easel (I’m not really sure what those are called).

This is an old, rusty bike that they had mounted on their wall. Genius!

Simple, nostalgic, beautiful…and with character.

These hands were mounted sticking out the wall as soon as you enter the door. They caught me by surprise. Cute!

What a fantastic old fireplace!

I really dig this old movie projector. That’s awesome!

THE CREW: SETTING-UP

The producer and props designer are hard at work setting everything up.

All of the home-owner’s things were covered with simple white sheets from a bed set…even the fitted ones.

The producer is ironing the sheets so that they are nice and straight.

See how lovely this chair was transformed by using a simple white sheet? The green ribbon is spectacular.

The props designer does a fabulous job making everything look beautiful. She’s setting up the SPA table.

Just like a spa. Maybe even nicer!

I always get so many great, simple ideas to decorate from these shoots.

Our camera man, who the producer complimented as getting some of the best shots and being one of the best around here.

I know the make-up artist on the job. She and I used to play tennis at the same gym. Not only does she do make-up, she does hair and she makes sure you always look good, paying attention to all the small details.

So here we are, the girlfriends who are going to the spa party.

These chicas were awesome. I felt like we were old friends. We got along great!

Me and the “hostess” of the party. She’s been shooting since morning whereas the girlfriends and I only needed to work half day.

So, typically I can’t stand having my hair pulled back in a pony tail (yes, because of my enormous head) but since I’m the only one with long hair and it’s a “spa party” I’m the token ponytail girl. Oh well, I’ll just pray it looks good for the commercial.

OTHER PICTURES OF THE SHOOT

Lighting. Obviously, lighting is important.

Since only the tops of the chairs will be seen, it does’t matter that the bottom is exposed.

The kitchen. This is where shooting took place in the morning.

Now it’s where the producer able to see what the camera man sees thru a monitor here.

That way, she is able to verify angles, lighting, and if they got the shot they needed.

Here’s me, doing a self portrait in the reflecting mirror. Lol

Custom-labeled water, which I believe is one of the tips from the commercial.

Here’s a scene where the hostess is setting up for the party.

Hanging out while everything is being set-up.

This is  a scene where the girls are checking out all the fragant spa oils, lotions, salts.

THE FOOD

I almost forgot about the food. Can you believe it? Me, forget about food.

Because this is party, you need party food! The table has been set with a most spectacular spread.

Cucumber topped off with tuna fish (pictured above).

Salsa Martini’s.

Meringue Oranges.

Fruits.

Some type of endive with red peppers and mashed potatoes???

I don’t know what this is but it looks good.

But, as the producer reminds us:

“Prop food should NEVER be eaten!”

Food used for props are made to look appetizing, colorful and beautiful but they are made for AESTHETIC purposes only. They don’t actually taste good PLUS they have been sitting out all day.

I saw a green smoothie (In the pic above, to the back, under the light switch) that looked like a refreshing kiwi shake with the black seeds and topped off  with a sprig of rosemary. Well, I should have been tipped off by the rosemary (Rosemary doesn’t go with smoothies but it LOOKS beautiful). When I went to smell it I was greeted with an unhappy surprise…it smelled like MAYONAISE with PEPPER (hence the black seeds). No wonder the sprig of rosemary was able to stand up straight with no assistance. Nice trick!

This was probably the most fun I’ve had on a shoot. It was like hanging out with girfriends on the set. Since I’m a do-it-yourself girl I’ll totally be able to use these tips. I’ll totally have to throw a party like this for my girlfriends.

Thanks HGTV, a great crew and great “girlfriends”.

-Jane, Occasional Actress

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