Those who Love to Perform; The Good Stuff Just Bubbles Up and Spills Right Out

From my very first experience on a film set, I was mesmerized by all the incredibly talented people behind the scenes; the grips and electrics, the prop master and makeup artist. But the people who make the difference in whether you fast-forward or wipe a tear from your eye are on the screen. Most of the world thinks of them as actors. I think of them as ‘talent’.

I shoot ‘pretty pictures’ – so I am usually working with very pretty people. And the absolute best is when they are pretty inside. It still surprises me, the transformation that happens with these magical people who are able to ‘come alive’ when the camera is focused on them.

When I was making that first investment to step into the role of Director, I shot a ‘spec’ spot. My concept; a ‘fashion shoot’ for Kodak film. I drafted co-workers, and friends, and friends of friends to help me out. I didn’t know anything but big production. I probably had a 30-plus person crew. My husband said he knew he was in the right place when he arrived on location and there was a policeman directing traffic and a 5-ton equipment truck (thank you Doug Smith and PC&E). We shot for two days at multiple locations; 35mm film (actually donated by Kodak), camera from Jimmy Collins, edited by Larry Krantz, and original music by Patrick Belden. I was a lucky girl to have such incredible resources.

But, in front of the camera, my ‘talent’ made all the difference. I wish I remembered the names of the young girl and boy who played the roles of ‘lover’s quarrel’ at the old green truck (I think Parlee Teague actually had it towed in for me because it was such a great look!) and the dancer against the orange wall, who with a turn and an extended arm made me want to dance along with him. But I do remember the names of my buddies Frank Masi and John Doliner who simply walk toward camera in coat and hat with pure essence of cool. And Ty Pennington stole the moment with his paintings in front of the shadow of a basketball goal, crouched on the concrete floor inside his very urban warehouse space (great shot, Jim McKinney!). Photographer, Director, and Television Personality – they all three had something inside of them that was larger than life and couldn’t help but spill out onto the screen. Powerful images from amazing people.

And through the years, it continues to amaze me. This year’s Easter Egg Hunt centered on a young girl and boy – and they pulled out endearing smiles every take and made you want to blush with them at their revealed infatuation. Look at Jasmine Wilkins’s delight; surrounded by her ‘husband’ Antoine Smith and children on the patio for Mother’s Day; don’t you want a family like that? And in the fantasy colorful world, Tika, a true high fashion model, was able to keep smiling and spinning in a CGI rose filled meadow as she lifted a young boy high into the air against the flare of the setting sun. For Father’s Day this year, the youngest of our three little girls, Bella, immediately fell head over heels for her pretend Dad, holding his face in her little hands and turning to kiss his arm as he taught her how to play putt-putt – and Jacob Burton delighted in his little girls. Ahhh, what a joy to have great talent.

Allow me to be sentimental for one last word here. One of my most memorable ‘performances’ now has a particularly soft spot in my heart. The last take of the day, after shooting our sweet family surrounding dad on the sofa to give him a handmade card and a new golf shirt, was followed by my own sweet real life daughter, sitting on that same sofa, holding the gift box. With two cameras focused on what she thought was an ECU of the box, she acted as a ‘stand in’ for the talent.

Instead, as cameras rolled, and sound recorded, the crew clear of frame and hushed, her boyfriend quietly stole the length of the long hallway to drop to one knee at her side and ask her to marry him. Her performance was brilliant; from contained surprise at the unexpected appearance of her beloved, to determined professionalism to stay focused. Her eyes narrowed to confusion, then flew wide to realization that this was indeed real, before her head nodded adamantly her answer of yes, yes, yes!

I love a great moment, captured on film, then, digital now. Thank you to those talented people, who share their hearts with us, on our television screens.

Want to see those performances? Look at:

Kodak True - Colors

Belk Easter – First Love

Belk Mother’s Day – Surprise Brunch

Mother’s Day – Rose Garden

Belk Father’s Day – My Girls

Behind the Scenes - The Big Question