When You Cross an Emergency Room with a Chicken...

Yes, this picture has been airbrushed a bit because I had been on set for 12 hours and was looking tired and raggedy by the time I took it.  Plus the surgical mask is murder on a makeup job.  I've been trying to get back to y'all for 2+ days now, but my schedule just wouldn't permit it.  I shot my episode of "ER" on Tuesday, and it was pretty awesome.  It was a 12-hour day, and those clogs that I thought were comfy when I first tried them on had my feet crying for mercy after standing for ten hours, and STILL, there was no place I would rather have been.

I worked with Noah Wyle, Eriq LaSalle, Christian Clemenson from Boston Legal (he recognized me), and the episode was directed by John Wells, himself.  I got to assist in an operation & see how the "blood-and-guts" of it all really work.  Note:  Some of that stuff is REAL.  ;o)  At some point during the shoot, I just stood there in the "operating room" and thought to myself:  "I'm a long way from my first college play in Iowa."  Wow.  Later, the second A.D. told me that this is a GREAT episode to be in because some big names will be making an appearance.  I'll let y'all know when it's expected to air.  Sometime in late March, I think.

So, Here's my week:  Monday I worked for 12 hours at the production office.  Tuesday I worked 12 hours on set at Warner Bros.  Wednesday I had 3 auditions (one commercial, two television), and ran back and forth from my production gig to different casting offices/ studios all over town.  My last audition was for CSI, and I had to make up a voodoo dance.  I did it, and was told "That was great...can you do it one more time?  Kind of like a chicken."  I just started laughing.  It took me a moment to regain my composure, but the casting assistant was laughing too.  I was so tired and still had to make up work I couldn't get done at the office during the day because I was busy driving around, so I had to miss my last audition workshop.  Thankfully I can make it up next month.

Today I got up early, came into the production office before anyone else (because it's quiet and I can get a lot done), left to go to a commercial audition at a casting office with lots of furry pets so I've been sneezing all day long.  I'm still at the office, but hopefully I can leave soon and get to bed early.

I'm so mixed up, I don't know if I'm a voodoo priestess, a woman who likes to eat Cheez-it crackers while doing the chicken dance and reading a Hallmark card near a crime scene or what.  I changed clothes so many time yesterday that finally I just gave up.  I showed up at work looking like I walked off the set of "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome" and my boss asked me "Why are you dressed like that?"  I just looked at him and laughed.  I really didn't know.

Still, I can't imagine anything I'd rather be doing.  Even on the bad days (and there aren't that many), life is good. 

--Nicole J. Butler

Comments

[WhenIGrowUpCoach]

Love it! Love all the work you've been doing, and the perspective of it all. I know gobs of actors that would be doing nothing but COMPLAINING about their schedules. You keep going with the flow, girl! More ER-like success is in your future...I can feel it. But maybe that's the voodoo dance talking....

[stacey jackson]

Congratulations, darling. This is all wonderful! Keep us posted on the air date. :)

[Nicole J. Butler]

I do complain sometimes. A friend actually laughed (HARD) at me when I whined last week, but I realize that I just have to get over it and do what I gotta do. Thanks for the votes of confidence - when I find out the airdate, I will let y'all know!