For those of you how have not read this yet. My Casting Call experience:
Hello Kiddies!
So, I just got home from my lovely weekend in L.A. Never been there before, so it was an experience to say the least. I've, for one, found that Seattle drivers are much more resistant to driving well. So, the casting call for season three Project Runway was the catalyst for this spendy mini Vacation. I'll start from the beginning....
I arrive on St. Patty's Day. Of course my brother and his wife live in Dublin, so I wished I was there, but luckily Tilde has some friend from back home in L.A. Though I was invited to a St. Patty's Day party with them, my need to get up and start standing in line at 7 am made decide against going. Wait, no worries, I decided that getting drunk in my hotel room was a better idea!
So then I decided to parooze (sp?) around the hood that the lovely Travelodge I was at held fort...Well, much to my amuzement, I found a sign with this dudes name on it. I had a good laugh. It may not be spelled right, and if you don't know what a murkin is I suggest you look it up.
O.K, O.K...now for the important stuff
The day of the casting:
So, I headed to the Hyatt down the street which was hosting the casting, at about 7 that morning. Yes, hauling my rolling suitcase through the constrution zone in heels and a dress at 7, real glamorous. When I get there I find a forming line, though not to big yet. I hop on in, and imediately say hello to my new line-mates. I figured there may be some pretention between line-standers, but these folks were great. We formed a little squad, though the name may be still up in the air. I think most people figured everyone was in the same boat. The real absurdity of the situation needs to be remembered here: We were all there to stand in front of people we don't know and be judged based on what we create out of our heads...I mean really, and it is just clothing. So, with that in mind, I tried to not take everything so seriously. And besides, I'm confident in what I do, I do this for a living, so I already have the dream people want. Nothing could get me down. Really.
So, here are some peeps in line...will one of these be America's Next Big Fashion Designer?
So, we're all just shooting the shit, and hanging out. One fella, Jude, happened to be at the casting the previous season, so he was good for a bit of insight there. The thing about this whole mess, was that it brought all types of people together. Jude studied design in St. Petersburg Russia, and had a sucessful business in San Fran making classic designs, another designer (Ross) was a costumer in Cali. Ross was a big fella in a kilt. I loved it! So, as we were wondering who the judge from last season would be, a commotion in the line prooved that Sanitno himself would be there. People started freaking out. Weird...o.k, so I snapped his pic like a tourist, but had to show you some celebrity here o.k ;-)
He's actually quite good-looking in real life. So, as it goes, we moved up the line. So on, So forth. We noticed one of the shows producers comming down the line and interveiwing people. They grabbed Jude and I, so we both got some camera footage shot of us. The usual interveiw ?'s. Blah Blah. As we continued to stand around, this lovely gal recongized me from my old shop up here in Seattle. She was here to try out too! Awesome, more Seattle Represent! She actually asked me to come back and model for her if I got done soon (which I should have, mind you, one regret).
So, we finally made it to the front of the line. They were taking groups of 5. Our little squad was together still so WooHoo. Another of the shows producers was interveiwing people. She got me, and we did a little chat on camera. I showed her the cool dance costume I'd made out of my mothers wedding dress form 1972. Yes, I'd dyed it, and completely rearranged it to be a rhinestoned dance costume. She said it was very innovative, and also commented on the cute dress I was wearing. Actually, she wasn't the only one who had that day. (This is muy importante for later). And as the camera's moved on the interview another hopefull, she actually chatted with me a bit more about how cute the dress was (just a simple vintage style dress) Here it is:
Alright, so we get ushered into another waiting room downstairs, where people are waiting to be called out by numbers. Chatting with Jude, I show him my portfolio, and he says " I wouldn't be suprized if you got it". Awe, this means a lot, cuz our two styles were very different. Cute. So, it's finally my turn. I step outside to be mic'd. The cute guy has to attach the mic to my undies! At least I worn my Betsey Johnson ones that day! And so, here goes....
Weird, there are about 25 people in the room. Lighting and cameras everywhere, and there, sitting in the front of the room set up like "gods" are Santino, Tim Gunn, the head producer, and some chick from ELLE. I say Hello, and Tim proceeds to ask me some usual ?'s. I notice that the panel seems unable to smile (Sans Santino, who just seems to be listening) Uh...wait...I became aware that I couldn't get a kind look from them if I'd come into the room holding a basket of puppies and rainbows...Hello...is this thing on? They had sticks so far up there asses I was suprised they could sit properly.
Ok, Ok, the absurdity hit me, and I realized that they were acting so pretentious, that it was just that, an act. Of course they have to be intimidating. Alright. So, I show them two of my more wearable creations (hopeing to save the dance costume for the big finale). I also wanted to show them that I can get away from the costume aspect of what I do. In fact, I wasn't planning to be "in" for this show, but I though my downfall would be that I was too costumy...Then it Happend:
Tim looks at me and says, "Jamie, did you make the dress your wearing" (yes) "Well, it baffles me." (O.K? explain) "It's just so...vanilla".
Huh...did Tim Gunn just call one of my designs "Vanilla"?
AWESOME! O.k, I know it wasn't a good thing, but I never in my life would have though anyone would describe something I'd made as "Vanilla". I think after that, all bets were off. Nothing I could have said or done would have gotten me in. Not my Swarovski rhinestoned costume, not my futuristic houswife dress with matching hand bag, not even my Hand Sewn portfolio (yes, that's right)...nope, over. With three resounding "NO'S". In fact, the only person who seemed to possibly undertand my design stand point was Santino. He was the only one to look me in the eye, and say "Thank You Jamie"...well, I might have read into it, but it seemd like a sympathetic look. Course, he does travel in the same circles as I do, so you know, my kinda people.
Ding Ding, I think that's the dinner bell, cuz Tim Gunn just served my ass to me on a silver platter. Oh, but how I have the BEST new catch phrase.
"J. Von Stratton designs. "...vanilla...baffling..."-Tim Gunn"
I love it. Tee-shirts comming soon! I'm sure the look on my face as he said that was priceless! And as I left the room, I passed the gal who confessed her liking of that very dress. You be the judge:
Simple, sure, boring, o.k, but will tons of girls buy and wear this...yup. Ching$ Ching$. So, I sauntered home (and forgot about modeling for the other gal, argh), got in my rental car and drove to the beach. That night I went out with my gay boyfriends to a birthday party. They righfully nick-named me "Vanilla", and we got wasted and sang kareoke all night!
I'm Smoking! Ha Ha...Hey maybe my new Drag name should be Vanilla Baffles...Oh my god, I love it! Thanks again Tim :-)
Ah, so the weekend is over. I realize the world is my playground (even if your driving to the airport and get lost in the ghetto...oops!)
Mt. Rainer...I squish you!
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