I Was Fired from Set

This was an interesting day. I was hired as Jennifer Garner’s stand-in on a movie filming in Austin.

A stand-in is similar to a double except you don’t have any screen time. Stand-ins watch the main actors rehearse the scene, and when the main actors go to hair / make-up / wardrobe, the stand-ins stand in all the places the actors were so that cameras, lighting, sound, etc. can be set up and ready to shoot when the actors come back.

If you’ve read previous posts, you know that I’m not game for doing everything someone says I should do as an actor.

So, this one scene came up and I was standing-in for a different brunette actress. For her scene, she was on the bed straddling Adam Sandler.

Weeellllll, I’d rather not be straddling any dudes that aren’t my husband.

So the guy stand-in laid on his back on the bed and I put both knees to one side of him and leaned over to make sure my face was where the actress' face was during rehearsal. There was some chatter about me doing that, but I wasn’t gonna change it.

Later that day, I got a call from those who hired me and they asked about it. I let them know my boundaries and such, and we mutually decided that it may not be a good idea for me to continue working on that film because of the content and what I may be asked to do.

So they let me go. I understood.

Side note: Because I’d done so much standing-in on The Lying Game, I was really good at it. I knew where to be at the right time, what terms meant, what was important for what department, when to talk, when to not, and it created a nice flow on set.

Still, I was swapped out around lunch and another girl came to be the stand-in.

I just let it go and gave it to God.

Well, the next day, I got a call.

They wanted to me back – even with my boundaries.

One day is all it took!

I just remember after that call, thinking, “Jesus, your light is shining even when I don’t know it. This is so cool that me doing my job, even with my boundaries, stood out enough to be asked back to such a large project.”

It reminded me to continue to stay strong in what I believe, and He will work all things together for my good. (Romans 8:28)

That 'fire and rehire' moment felt like the extra french fry you find at the bottom of your bag.

You’re not expecting it, so it’s the perfect surprise, especially when you weren’t ready for your fries to be gone.

He’ll always make it worth it,

Venus

If you decide that you want God in your life, here's a simple prayer you can say quietly or out loud:

Dear God, I'm a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin; please forgive me.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died for my sins and You raised Him to life.

I want to invite Him into my heart to take control of my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(No pressure, but if you do say this prayer, I'd love to know so you're not stuck with the thought of, "Okaaaaay, what now?")