...I think I would have been a talent scout.
I am rather a savant at spotting those who will be big stars, if I do say so myself.
I "discovered" Sandra Bullock in Speed, Antonio Banderas in Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, Sharon Stone in Total Recall, Denzel Washington in A Soldier's Story and Tom Cruise in Taps. Whether it was Sandra Bullock's plucky humor or Tom Cruise's intensity, I knew they all had that something special that would give them megastardom. In fact, I remember turning to my spouse and saying "Spouse, that person will be a megastar."
I come by this talent naturally.
My father was a big movie fan, and I remember sitting up late with him watching old movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood on TV (when I was supposed to be in bed) - Stella Dallas, Now, Voyager, The Philadelphia Story, The Quiet Man, Deanna Durbin movies.
My Dad was particularly susceptible to the tear-jerkers. When he would tear up he would emit a little guttural laugh and pretend to wipe his forehead with his handkerchief when he was really wiping the tears from his eyes. He didn't think I noticed.
But he also loved the corny movies. Francis the Talking Mule series was a particular favorite.
We loved to spot famous actors appearing in bit parts early in their careers and comment on their impending star power. He also taught me the love of watching the credits for names of famous actors appearing in small parts before they were big or the odd little fact - did you know that the real name of the dog who played Old Yeller was Spike?
I just recently watched the credits for Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, and not only noticed the name Grace Hightower, but recognized her as Robert DeNiro's wife. Like I said, I'm a savant when it comes to this stuff. Try it. Reading movie credits is fun.
What old movie memories do you have?
Have you spotted any now famous actors early in their careers?
Anyway, if I should decide to take this talent of mine and turn it into another career, where would I go for help?
You see where I'm heading.
The library, of course.
Our Tools for Tough Times leads job seekers and career changers to resources that will help them decide where their talents lie, which careers are right for them, what the job trends are and where the jobs are. We also provide practice tests and Microsoft applications tutorials(Learning Express), as well as resume, cover letter and interviewing help.
Another important local resource is a library partner, WorkSource, which is a one-stop reemployment system for the job hunter and career changer. Funded by state and federal funds, services include employment counseling services, onsite hiring events, workshops and seminars and a computer resource center, which provides fax and copy machines, phones and typing tests in addition to computers. There are offices in several locations in Washington. The Lynnwood Office is located at 20311 52nd Avenue W. in Lynnwood. For more information call 425-673-3300.
You do not need to be unemployed to access these resources and services.
You might just be someone like me...thinking of that *other* career.
9 comments:
I remember seeing Nicholas Cage in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." He played a stoner/surfer with only one speaking line. When I looked for his name in the credits, he was listed as Nicholas Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola is his uncle).
Eric Stoltz and Anthony Edwards also had small parts in that fun 1982 movie.
My dream career is movie critic! Thumbs up on your blog, Rosy!
So, did you not also spot Keanu Reeves in "Speed"? Before you object, let me point out, you said you could spot future 'big stars', not good actors! Or, maybe you spotted Keanu in "Babes in Toyland", "Flying" or another of his unknown early movies?
I didn't mention Keanu Reeves because he starred in the film and was already well-known (even if his acting does resemble watching paint dry.)He had already been in Ted and Bill's Excellent Adventure and River's Edge and over 25 other films. Sandra had only been in about 10 and not as the star. But you are right, Speed is probably what "sped" him along to The Matrix.
Mickey Rourke in "Body Heat". William Hurt spends the whole movie looking either nauseous or constipated, but Rourke's work leaps off the screen. Now whether he lived up to that later in his career...
Good call. He still hadn't done Diner yet so it was up from there but when did it all fall apart? 9 1/2 Weeks? Wild Orchid?
Watching the credits can indeed be enlightening. I like to spot (and name) good character actors (not leading men or ladies, but often the father, the dotty aunt, the druggist, the banker, the side kick...), e.g. Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley, Akim Tamirov, Wilfred Hyde-White, Hermione Gingold... Sometimes these old pros are more interesting than the leads they are supporting or the film that they are in.
And at the other end of the career spectrum, Leslie Caron in Chocolat.
Ever notice Gwyneth Paltrow's cameo appearances as a younger Wendy in the movie "Hook?"
I recently rewatched Sense and Sensiblity and recognized a young Hugh Laurie getting taciturn experience as the stoic Mr. Palmer. Up until then he had mostly done television comedy in Britian. Apparently he was practicing up for House.
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