THE HOLLYWOOD INJUN
AMANDA GIRALDO
The tension on set was real. There I was, standing
raised by an Indian tribe in the Old West. I see that that they
amid a heated argument with six fellow actors. Two of us wom-
are looking for New Mexico residents only, “Townsmen (lots of
en, wearing long deerskin dresses with fringes along the sleeves
beards!) and women, saloon girls, children, and lots and lots of
and along bottom of our dress painted with tribal designs, like
NATIVE men, women, and children for a western.” All I had to do
that of women warriors. Four men with their buckskin shirts,
was submit a recent photo and my current height and weight to
one shirtless, with their breechcloths with leather leggings.
the listed email address. Three months later, I receive the email
to come in for a look-see. The next day, to my surprise, I get the
Wearing moccasins to cover our feet on this hot
summer day. I could feel the drip of sweat run down my back
call.
and across my forehead as we try to reason with the producers.
“Hello, may I speak with Allison Young?” “This is her.”
In that moment, it felt like Cowboys vs Indians.
“Hi! This is Lorrie Latham, the casting director for
Ridiculous, and you have been selected to be an extra.”
It’s a typical weekday morning where I struggle to
wake up as I hit the sleep button on my phone to allow myself
I feel the rush of adrenalin run down my spine; I can’t
five more minutes of sleep. But then, I smelled something good,
believe it.
something that arouses my senses; I smelled the coffee brewing.
“Hello, are you still there?”
The smell guides me to the kitchen where I pour myself a cup,
“Oh yes, I’m here and thank you.”
but I skimp on the creamer because nothing wakes me up like a
“Ok, you will be receiving an email shortly regarding
cup of fresh hot black coffee. I make my way to the living room
all the details. Shooting starts in two days; we look forward to
to turn on the TV to see what is happening in the world today.
working with you.”
That’s when I see it flash across the screen in big bold letter as
the news anchor from KOAT is talking, “CASTING CALL FOR
comprehend what just happened. I gather myself, screaming on
EXTRAS IN NEW ADAM SANDLER MOVIE”. As a film student,
the inside, as I realize that I am going to be in a movie.
She hangs up and I sit in complete silence as I try to
I thought to myself, “Should I audition?” I have never acted before, but this is an Adam Sandler movie. The funny guy from Big Daddy, Just Go With It, Blended, and his most recent, Pixels. Then I hear her say that other actors involved in the production are Luke Wilson, Terry Crews, Rob Schneider, and Taylor Lautner, amongst many others. All these famous actors coming to New Mexico! That alone was motivation for me to give it a shot.
I take my cup of coffee and immediately go online.
On Project Casting, I find that this movie will be a funny western comedy that is about an orphan, played by Sandler, who was
2021 RED MESA REVIEW | 50
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
