LIGHTS, CAMERA, wait, wait, wait...wait...ACTION!!! Part 1

Woke up incredibly excited about filming for Elliot Loves today.  I'd be playing Aunt Nani.  Not the role I had auditioned for, but I was cast and I was excited!!  I can finally say, yes, I was in a movie; not just any movie, but a GREAT, award winning one with a great cast!  We were shooting in Queens, NY, and I had no idea what to expect, therefore I expected nothing.  I had decided early on that I would show up and do whatever it took to do well and to be part of this production.

My call was 11:15am, and I was happy to arrive on time.  The first person I met was Elaine Del Valle...she would be playing Aunt Carmen, the role I had originally auditioned for.  I could tell immediatedly that she had that "thing" that people look for in a star - a confidence, an aura, a presence...it cannot be explained in words, but you see it, feel it immediately.  So I couldn't wait to see how the shoot would go.  There was an excitement in the air, and we all possessed a bit of it.  More and more of the cast arrived and we all introduced ourselves...it was refreshing!  Breakfast was served, and there was a relaxed feeling. There was absolutely NO ego in the room...it was as if everyone knew their own power, their own talent, but there were no assumptions that one was better than the other...and I couldn't help but think if the planet worked that way, how much could humankind accomplish??  Deep I know, lol, but it's there.

It was time for hair, make-up and wardrobe!  Enter, Javier Rosa, make-up man extraordinaire! His presence was comforting to my slight anxiety because I'd already worked with him for the Stay video, and I knew we would not only look great but that the atmosphere would be a happy one!  Elena Goode, playing Ma, showed up...God, she's gorgeous!!  Truly. She's one of those few people in the world who just look flawless without make up! That ain't me...I need lots!  Gary Terracino, the director to whom I am grateful for casting me, reminded me of my character.  "Remember, Aunt Nani is a blue collar worker, she's married with two children...she knows what it's like to be intimidated by Carmen...she's always believing in people...she's the only one who's happy for Ma." Sure. Got it...no problem. 

"All actors on set...I need everyone in this scene onset," Terracino exclaimed.  This is it. I was nervous, but confident it would all be fine. I didn't realize that because we were filming on location inside a house in Queens that everytime we shot, the air conditioner would need to be turned off.  Middle of August, just about, lol...thank God it wasn't humid.  But wearing a small jacket would prove to be challenging enough.  We were seated at the table, doing the kitchen scene.  It was a lot of fun, I have to admit, my character reminds me of Chrissy Snow from Three's Company, not quite as ditsy, but naive. I did a lot of smiling, and I had more fun acting while being silent than doing my actual lines.  Lesson #1: Acting seems to take place more so when you are silent than when you are actually speaking. 

Off to prepare for the next scene.  Next scene, also in the kitchen, but I like to call it "the cooking scene" because that's where the character of Carmen gets cooking.  I could tell immediately that I was in the presence of well-seasoned actors.  Elaine was on FIRE!!  Elaine played Aunt Carmen so fantastically well, that I was in awe of her...she was real, she was funny, she was a ball of fire and I was so happy that she was cast to play her.  Terracino chose PERFECTLY well!! The cast's professionalism, demeanor and just great acting was evident, and I was honored AND very humbled to be in their presence.  After all, this was all new to me, movie making and whatnot.  In fact, there was a moment when I was almost intimidated...who was I to be here amongst these professionals?  If I had been cast 10 years ago, I doubt I would've made it through.  But thanks to the experience life has thrown me in the music business, I believed in myself just enough to get me through it. You can do it, Judy, or you wouldn't have been cast in the first place!  And it was at that moment, that I believed that I could do it, and although I didn't have one line in the scene, I loved it!!  Every single moment, every single look, every single smile meant something...and God, just to be there  - it really was a dream come true!

We took a break to set up for the next scene. I was STARVING.  Wow...the time flew...It was past 2pm already.  Lesson #2:  If the lighting and scenery is not PERFECT, nothing gets done.  Wow...takes so long to perfect the set, the lighting...I think in many ways, we took more time for that than anything else.  But it has given me a newfound respect for movie-making and lighting...so important.  Did I mention I was starving??  Terracino asked us to get through this scene and we would break for lunch.  I don't know how many times we shot the scene but it was many, and each time everyone delivered...so cool One of the funny moments of the day was the food that we used in the scene.  We were all so hungry that we all ate the food props!!  Elena, who plays Ma, was wonderful & she snatced a carrot in between scenes.  I had a bowl FULL of grapes and by the time we ended the scene between myself, Dalia who plays Aunt Denise, and Quentin, who plays Elliot...we ate every single grape...best grapes I ever had.  We broke for lunch, and we still had another scene to shoot...we broke for lunch at 3:45pm!

A NEW DOOR - UNEXPECTED EMAIL

Thursday, July 15th:
I was really anticipating the day because it was the day we auditioned the actors for the Stay Video.  You already know we chose a woman to play the wife, and a man to play the husband...remember I called hmi "Best Guy?"  LOL.  It was shortly after the auditioning, that I was asked for my email address by the director of the Stay Video.  It was an exhausting day because we auditioned everyone; did a screen test, had dinner and debated for almost 3 hours who would be best to play the boyfriend.  I got home late.  It was close to 1am.  I cleaned up a little around the house, and was going to bed...but I checked my email on a whim.  Here is an excerpt:

Dear Judy Torres

My good friend Javier Rosa just passed your info on to me. Javier is working on my feature, "Elliot Loves" and suggested you to us for the role of "Aunt Carmen."


The script for "Elliot Loves" has won several awards. The film stars Elena Goode ("As the World Turns") and two-time Tony Award nominee Robin de Jesus ("In the Heights" and "La Cage Aux Folles"). Kerry Barden -- who cast "Pineapple Express", "Boys Don't Cry" and the TV series "Sex and the City" -- is our casting director. We are now half-done with the movie....to recast the role of "Aunt Carmen." When Javier suggested you, we all thought it was a great idea - and would love to meet with you to discuss.  Please look through the script above. "Aunt Carmen" first appears on page 34. If you are interested, you can come in and meet with me informally at our offices...Terracino.

OH, MY GOD!  All that exhaustion I had felt went on immediate vacation.  I read the 97 pages of script and when I read Aunt Carmen, her character was GREAT!!  She was funny, strong, vibrant, reminding me of so many latina relatives and friends I've come across in life. I HAD to have that part!!  I emailed back around 2:30 in the morning, expressing my joy & interest.  The writer/director. Gary Terracino, emailed me immediately and a date for a reading/audition was made for Monday, July 19th. Less than a week away...less than a week to read, and re-read, to study her character, to decide who she is, etc...all while still preparing for the video, answering fan mail, working at KTU AND performing.  No problem, I can do this...I HAVE to do this.  I used a quote on Facebook not too long ago, stating that it's not just about the opportunity that shows up, but more about whether or not you're ready. I thought, I will be ready.

In high school, I was in all the musicals - I LOVE musical theater, and in college, I studied acting for 2 1/2 years...begain auditioning and always got called back, but never quite landed the parts I wanted.  So, here I am now, probably almost 15 years since I've auditioned for anything.  Thank God I was kind to all the people who auditioned that day, because karma does show up when you least expect it.

Wow...I could be in a movie; a REAL movie - with accomplished actors and award winning script!  This could be the beginning of GREAT things to come!  I might even get a SAG card, allowing me to audition for lots of other projects!!  Yes!! Oh, yes, I emailed Javier Rosa, the make up artist, to thank him profusely for even mentioning my name - he only met me one time!  That is, pardon my french, so freaking sweet of him!!!  I am so honored by his kindness!  Be good to people you meet the first time, you never know...lol.  That is just amazing!  God is so good!!!

If you'd like info on the movie and/or would like to find out how to help fund the completion of the film, dn even get credit as a producer, please click this link. Muah!   http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1360637681/elliot-loves-keep-it-cutepapi-a-feature-film-in-pr