Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ready for my close up

Yesterday was TV filming day at the Ryan house! It was unlike anything I've ever done before, and I'm not even sure I can describe it all...but I can try :)

When I first learned that CBN, a faith-based television channel from Virginia, wanted to send a crew to our condo to do a story on my book, I had two reactions: First, I called Steve at work and screamed, "WE NEED MULCH!!!" because the front of our house looked like an overgrown junkyard. Then I pulled out our new vacuum cleaner and vacuumed...the curtains (You know, because clean drapes are such an important part of quality television... )

In short, I didn't know what to think, or how to prepare, so I dove into minutia with wild abandon, and then asked friends and family to pray that I not make a complete fool of myself. We won't know until the piece airs, but I think their prayers were heard.

The three members of the crew--a producer and two videographers--were fun and full of creative ideas. They filmed me riding the subway, walking down the street in the rain, reading on my bed. But every shot was set up with so much thought about angle, lighting, background. It was very cool to watch, and kept me from freaking out (too much) about the fact that I was the one being filmed.

Some shots didn't work so well...they tried one of Steve and I "cooking" in the kitchen. I was supposed to chop lettuce while Steve chopped an onion, and we'd pretend to chat about our day. What neither of us realized until that moment was that we lack the ability to talk--even pretend talk--and chop at the same time. It was pitiful. Steve's onion looked like it had been massacred, while I looked like a first grader trying to cut that big head of lettuce. The crew was laughing so hard at that footage that I suspect we'll be featured in a bloopers segment at some point in the future. My dream of being the Next Food Network Star died, right there in our kitchen.

Overall though, it was an amazing day. I suspect I'm one of the few writers in the world who gets to chat with the books editor for Cosmo magazine one week and the 700 Club the next. It can feel a little precarious sometimes, bridging these different worlds. But it sure keeps life interesting, and it's a great reminder that in terms of our greatest hopes and dreams in life, we have more in common than we might realize just by looking at the surface. Good stuff :)

16 comments:

Tami N said...

Trish, your curtains look so clean! When is this airing? Not sure we'd get the channel, but would love to see it.

rae said...

Hehehe...makes you realize that there isn't a whole lot of reality in reality tv....

Unknown said...

That sounds like so much fun!! And don't feel bad: I'd look like a first grader chopping lettuce, too. As a matter of fact, I looked like a first grader chopping cabbage last night! :-)

Anonymous said...

I've never chopped lettuce before I always just shred it... if it was me it would probably show opening a bag of lettuce & pouring it in a bowl.

Anonymous said...

I can't say I'm a huge fan of CBN because of its owner's views, but I do know that when I have seen their work, their pieces are always very professional: the subjects look great and the message is often helpful. It's wonderful that you are connecting with all kinds of people and maybe connecting those "different" people -- although I hesitate to say a Cosmo editor or reader couldn't also be a 700 Club fan.

mslizalou said...

Congrats Trish! Do you know when the show will air yet? I need to make sure I have my tivo set in case I'm at work.

Patti said...

this looks/sounds fun. but i can't imagine what husband and i would do to screw it up...eeek....

Larramie said...

One huge question: Did THAT dog at least make a cameo appearance?

Jenny said...

How fun. Your dog is so cute!

Barrie said...

Very very cool! And I bet you were marvelous!

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha, this is fantastic. And I'd totally hire you to chop my lettuce. :o)

xox

Allie said...

Congrats, you're famous! That is hilarious about the cooking incident!

Unknown said...

congrats on the stardom! :)

tootie said...

How cool! You'll have to let us know when it airs.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

I have been away for way too long... how AMAZING! I want to hear all about it and can't wait to see it!

LEstes65 said...

Oh my goodness - the kitchen segment made me just snort laugh!