Our already atypical Peace Corps experience in Sofia, Bulgaria recently took a turn towards the surreal.
Andrea and I both landed small speaking parts in made-for-Sci-Fi-Channel-Movies! You many be wondering how this is possible, so let me explain.
Along with manufacturing and IT jobs, America is beginning to outsource one of its most well known commodities – film making. Producers likely save hundreds of thousands by shooting in Bulgaria. But bringing American actors there is expensive. Flights, hotels, meals, a minimum number of shooting days and all those silly SAG rules and pay rates really start eating into profit margins.
Cue Boudreaux and Andrea – the local, non union, alternative. It’s a win-win-win situation. The production studio saves a bundle, we get to be in a movie, and our Bulgarian host organizations get the money the studio pays us (selfless Peace Corps volunteers aren’t allowed to make money during their two years of voluntary service – gag).
Andrea was the first to score a part. She was a small town deputy, appearing in the same film as quintessential ‘good ol boy’ John Scheider, the original (and best) Bo Duke.
Sometime next year, look for Andrea in Lake Placid 2 on the Sci-Fi Channel.
I was so jealous. I read for a part too, but I choked. Before the casting, I practiced my lines for hours. I had them down cold. But when I turned up at the casting, and the director pointed a camera at me, I wilted. I left the casting thinking I would never get the part. I was right!
Andrea told me stories about the movie set, her costume, her own trailer (what?!). I can’t believe I blew it! I guess I’ll have to add “I was in a movie” to the list of big fish that got away. But despite the old adage, opportunity knocked again. This time, I brought my best to the audition and before I knew it, I was Caleb, Captain of the Guard. Watch for both of us next year on Sci-Fi. My movie is called Stan Lee’s Harpies (please note that’s “harpies”, not “herpes”).
My very first scene was opposite Stephan Baldwin, whom I harassed at the gate of a Mid-Evil castle. In my next scene I rode a horse through the heavy wooden gate of a castle, followed by 30 of my men, dressed in full battle gear.
Holy crap!
