The Long & Short Of It

Billy Campbell. 
Chevy Chase.
Jonathan Frakes. 
Jeff Goldblum.
Vincent D'Onofrio.
John Larroquette.
Max von Sydow.
Liam Neeson. 
Michael Moriarty. 
John Lithgow. 
Daniel Stern.
Donald Sutherland. 
Yaphet Kotto. 
Michael Rapaport. 
James Brolin. 
Adam Baldwin. 
Stellan Skarsgård.
David Morse. 
Vincent Price. 

All of these actors have one thing in common. 
They might have more in common with each other, but for the purposes of this entry in my blog, they all have one very noticeable trait in common. 

All these very talented actors are 6'4. 
That's right! Six freakin' feet and four freakin' inches tall

Now obviously, their height is secondary to their talent. Each has enjoyed long, successful careers because they are talented not just because they are tall. 

It does my heart good to know there is hope for me. 

Being as tall, and big, as I am, has been a challenge as far as casting is concerned. It's a reality I face every time I audition for a television show, movie or play. My height is an issue. I know that. 

Does that mean I shouldn't? Oh Hell no
(neck and eye roll and finger snap)

Unless there are specific notations on a casting call in regards to a character's height...

"Not any taller than 5'5..."
"He's a short man...barely able to reach his car keys from the kitchen table..."
"He's a Hobbit..."

I'll submit. 

If I waited for giant roles and retired basketball player roles, I'd never work. 

There is one reality I can't change though. Most of the projects which come to the Mid-Atlantic Region are historical or period pieces. Most of those historic pieces are set in the 1700's and 1800's where, as we all know, people were smaller than we, as a people, are now. 

There were exceptions. George Washington was 6'3. Abraham Lincoln was 6'3. That's it! There was nobody else that tall. Everybody else was 5'7 or shorter.*

*This may be a generalization but I'm trying to make a point here. 

Am I worried about never getting cast as something other than a background-way in the background-player in the historical pieces that shoot here? 

Of course I am! I would be foolish not to be. 

Should I get used to hearing things like "Why don't you sit down in this take and  polish your musket?" or "Can you stand in that hole for this one and maybe duck your head down a little as if you've dropped something on the ground?"

Probably. Does it dampen my spirits? A little. Will it deter me? No. 
I have to remain positive and resolute. This is what I want to do and frankly what I am here to do. I'm not going to give up just because I'm not 5'7 and have a 34 inch waist. I had a 34 inch waist one time. I was 14. So?

There are parts out there for me. I just have to bide my time until the opportunities present themselves. I will hone my skills and be the best I can be. I will continue to remain positive and professional. 

And I will hold my head up high. Just not too high lest I hit the boom overhead. 


Just keeping it reel. 
Copyright 2015
All Reserved 

Comments

  1. An impressive list you will be added to one day soon :)

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  2. Ha! Never thought of excess height being a problem... till last year when a FB friend was bemoaning the lack of legroom on airplanes. Being 5'3", I've never experienced any discomfort on an airplane. My people are descendants of Hobbits, and have people like Dustin Hoffman and Michael J. Fox on our actors' list. We keep step stools in our kitchen and never see the dust on the top shelves. We don't bump our heads on low doors or get whacked by ceiling fans or answer questions like, "How's the weather up there?" and, "Did you ever play basketball?" So, I can't say I feel your pain, but I can definitely say I look forward to seeing your work onscreen! <3

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