Our company has our big North American users group coming up in October and decided to do three promotional videos to be posted on the company website for all customers and potential customers to view. When I heard that they were filling most of the roles in the videos with internal staff I campaigned rather heavily to get myself a role. Following a few days of campaigning my efforts were rewarded with a speaking role.
I soon learned that the company had hired a professional production company to write, film and produce the videos. The scripts were written by a local stand-up comic who has written and appeared in various TV shows including The Tonight Show.
The night before we were scheduled to begin shooting I panicked. I realized that my role requires me to show my teeth rather prominently and I have full metal braces. I decided not to say anything and pray that no one mentioned my braces or had any issues with them. I didn't sleep much that night and I was on pins and needles most of the morning waiting for my turn in front of the cameras.
My time arrived and had a great time filming my big scene. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done. I recieved many wonderful compliments from the crew and my coworkers, but no one said a word about braces. The following day there was more shooting and I was asked to be an extra in other scenes. Again, not a word about my braces.
Through the two days of filming I got to know the writer and spent a lot of time chatting with him. At the end of day two I shook his hand and thanked him for his acting advice and for letting me participate. Then I said I was also grateful that no one had an issue with my braces. He looked at me with a stunned look and said, "Why would anyone care about that?"
