|
|
|
 |
|
Bringing Sarah to Life
TWR from the Perspective of
Our Lead Actress
by Jill Adler |
|
As I see, for the first time, Sarah climb those steps to the doctor’s office it hits me. This is the end of my journey with this little short gem. My steps began much like hers.
I clicked along the rainsoaked asphalt as I ran for the small office for my late night audition back in November ‘04. I had driven down from Park City determined to ‘own’ Sarah and show Rick I was his only choice. After all, her life wasn’t a stretch. At 30 (something), my finances could be better, my eating habits atrocious and my mind running in a zillion directions with rarely a path crossing. Sure, I was healthier than most 20-year-olds but I could definitely relate to cancer in the family and shame at how I treat my body sometimes. The line “When was the last time we ate food that wasn’t handed to us through a window” was priceless … and true. Rick hit a homerun for me with his script – a simple story of a woman forced into an honest dialog with herself. A chat we often have when no one is watching, expecting or listening.
I got an email from Rick about a month later offering me the part. I jumped at it. It wasn’t about the money (or lack of), it was a chance to be real and, from the start, the crew was nothing but professional. I knew this wasn’t going to be some student project. Steve and Rick poured their heart and dreams into it: from the caseload of caffeinated beverages they brought to the makeshift set to hiring a professional hair and makeup person for me (I suck at getting dolled up) to the attention to continuity. With playing four parts at once from different positions, believe me, this was no small task.
Steve Smith adjusts a light while
Harmony Hamill touches up Jill Adler’s makeup.
photograph by Scott Frederick
|
|
|
|
Jill Adler enters the set.
photograph by Steve Smith |
There was a moment (okay a week) in there, however, where I thought the chance to play this part was too good to be true. We were having some serious scheduling conflicts but because Rick had initially told me he was flexible, the dates he wanted didn’t fit with mine. I had no idea they were thinking of canning me – until Rick politely told me he thought I was too busy for The Waiting Room. You never know how much you want something until you’re about to lose it.
Rick and Steve had made the whole process so laid back I forgot how much it mattered to everyone. In that instant, I begged forgiveness and cleared my plate. Nothing would get in the way.
And so it was that we had one rehearsal day and two shooting days finally lined up in May 2005. I can’t believe that it’s been this long already. And that the movie’s finished! It was difficult to see me in that stark lighting; I was hoping for a more flattering ambiance like on Oprah’s set but then it wouldn’t be the same film. All vanity aside, Rick brought out the Sarah in me and I trusted him completely to tell me when a scene didn’t work or needed tweaking. The hardest part of this short would not be mine but theirs. To make my three personas meld as seamlessly as it does without help from Industrial Light and Magic was no small feat. I only hope they are as proud of me as I am of them.
Thanks you guys for letting me be a part of your wonderful project!
| We are indeed very proud of Jill. Of all the contributions that went into creating Sarah, her soul came from you, Jill. And for that we owe you more than you know. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jill Adler playing
Sarah’s ‘finance savvy’ persona.
photograph by Steve Smith
Jill does it all and still manages to have time for more. Ski instructor, DJ, actor, journalist and all-around fun-loving woman. She’s constantly looking for new projects so if you hear of anything, send her a note!
She can be reached at:
www.jilladler.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miracle Max: Don't rush me sonny. You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles. |
|
|
|
