This weekend I spent a lot of time working with the Why Knot Productions team (we are currently in pre-production for some new oriental dance related video shoots). Saturday afternoon I decided to take a break by watching some good ol' TV. I turned on the tube and - what do you know - the movie "Failure to Launch" popped up! (Yeah, I was in that film, but if you blink you miss me.) The timing was nice...it made me smile & reminded me of when I worked on the other side of the camera.
 
During my time as an actress, there was a lot of downtime between takes. To pass the time I would always do one of my favorite things: 

There are sooo many different types of people in the world, and all are quite interesting. I find that I learn a lot from people watching.  If you've never actively engaged in people watching, give it a try. Just be careful; you may look like a stalker if you’re not on your toes.
 
When it's a large production, there are a few categories that can be spotted easily – you can bet the farm on it!
 
1.  The "I'm Gonna Be A Star, So I'm Gonna Dress Like A Stripper" women -
These women, bless their hearts, think that the big Hollywood Director, Hollywood Male Celeb, or Sports Celeb is going to be awestruck by their presence (or maybe just their physique) and re-write the entire production around them. They're convinced that they're just seconds away from their big break to...who knows what. Wardrobe department especially dislikes this category.
 
2.  The "I Have An Agent and You Don't" people -
These people come in all shapes, sizes, and genders.  They are smooth initially, but within the first few minutes of introductory chitchat they start name-dropping. To make it even worse, they usually bring up the last few calls from their agent. Of course, those same calls everyone else gets too - sans agent.
 
3.  The "Do Whatever It Takes to Get the Attention of the Camera" people -
You never really know who they are until you hear the word "action!"  Then, what seems to be a perfectly normal 80-year-old woman, magically transforms into a hell-raising, whooping and hollerin' she-devil.  These people will run up bleachers, push past PA's, and even tap people on the shoulder to bypass them on the other side just to get what they think is the prime seat for the scene. 2nd AD’s (Assistant Directors) hate these people.
 
The final category I lovingly call...weirdos.  Plain and simple, that's what they are. Harmless, charmless, will pick their nose in public -- weirdos. They are usually over the age of 35, and 75% of the time are there with their mother.
 
Am I better than them? No.
Did I snub them? No. 
Did  I learn from them? Absolutely! 
 
We all have our quirks, myself included. But it is the manner in which we interact with our environment that makes us all so fascinating…and it reveals so much!  How do you treat those around you? How do you treat them when you think no one is looking? Usually someone IS looking, but that’s not the real reason to examine your actions, right? 
 

Twitter has lists, Facebook has lists, and even here on Hip Mix you can create your profile and select your own classification.  It is somewhat limiting, but everybody uses their own system of classification for people. It’s when we judge others that problems occur.
 
I have made acquaintances with many of the above categories. Some people I only saw at auditions or jobs and we picked up right where we left off in conversations, as if we saw each other yesterday. Others have become friends; we e-mail the latest and greatest (or not so great) audition/booking news and events.
 
Who are you?  A Wanna-Be?  A West-End Wanda?  A Weirdo?  Maybe a Has-Been?  Who cares, as long as you don’t pick your nose!
 
So go about your day and remain intrigued by other people of all types and backgrounds.  And don’t forget to smile, I might be watching!