Standing in for a Star . . .

I haven't been around much to write this week because I was booked to be the stand-in for Andy Griffith on a new movie, Play the Game, written and directed by Marc Fienberg. Yesterday and today, I was on location at the Calamigos Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Today's shoot was particularly exciting because it seemed like a good piece of American television history was on the set. In addition to Andy Griffith, there were Liz Sheridan, Doris Roberts, Rance Howard and several other name actors. While standing in for Griffith, I was lucky enough to be in a scene with Liz Sheridan who, according to script, is bumped by Paul Campbell resulting in a full cup of water hitting The Ancient One. To make sure that they got just the right shot, they did 5 takes of the scene. Although I will never actually be seen on the screen, I was soaking wet by the time we finished. Later in the afternoon, Ms. Sheridan kindly posed for a picture with me and gave me permission to post it here.

Well, I better post this and get to bed. I am due back on the set at 7:00 a.m. and it is a drive of nearly 60 miles. And I likely will be working several more days on this film shoot over the next couple of weeks.

By the way, I know I don't look like Andy Griffith. But, in the great wisdom of the film industry, I was selected for this job because examination of my headshot and resume indicates that my hair is the appropriate shade of white and my body size is similar enough that the crew can get the lighting and focus right when I am standing in for the star. Getting repeatedly soaked by Liz Sheridan was simply a bonus that cooled me down under the heat of the lights.