She was calling me to see what I'd be doing the next day. Of course I stated my obligation to teach, and she was like well I was calling to see if I wanted to do a music video. 'o' I know! "Of course." I played it cool. She made it seem as though it was a regular artist. Nothing major. I was like well I can rearrange my schedule.... Trying to allow her to tell me the name of the artist and not have to ask. LOL! Real cool Desarai'.
Anyway, she proceeds to tell me that it's a video for BEYONCE'!!!!!!!! I could barely keep my hands on the wheel as I'm driving up the 405. I'm glad I was the only on the highway, because I did swerve a bit screaming. I apologize for the recklessness that I'm about to tell you. I had to send an email or two while driving home.... Hey! That was a 45 minute drive and time was the essence so shot me. Ok, anyway... I really didn't think that I was going to get the confirmation email with the dets at all. I was trying to still wrap my head around what I was just asked to be apart of. I got the email finally at about 1a and had to find the wardrobe somewhere in my existent closet b/c I'd purged so much stuff prior to my move.
Call time was at 8:30a in an area of LA that's not the best. As I got off the freeway I was like wtf!!! The shoot was at an abandoned mall in Hawthorne, CA. We sat around most of the morning after check-in, but we had the lay of the land when it came to our area and craft service. I have to say that this was nicest craft service I've experienced being out in LA. No need for details just know I ate well and had to chill out so I wouldn't look to greedy. LOL!
Anyway, let's get to the part you really want to hear about.... BEYONCE'!!! She arrived about 11:30a and that's when things started to really move. Her dancers were all there, and I was secretly gagged... but I digress. The shoot was very laid-back and had a kind of let's go with the flow feel. There was no real security onset. To my surprise. People were free to roam but were really respectful to the staff and each other. I thought that Bey would have a swarm of security on set but that wasn't the case. Folks were more concerned about not having their phones on them so they wouldn't get kicked off set.
Since, we were to nervous to be on our phones we all got pretty chatty with one another. That's the nature of being on set/a job with other people in the entertainment industry. You will eventually become besties b/c you're with them all dang day! But again... I digress. I will say that I got really cool with a few girls Olivia Garcia and Britney Jayy! Hi Boos!!!! We were cutting up the entire time, but discretely of course. We just had jokes for DAYS!!!!!
There were all kinds of characters onset. Like, seriously!!! Real life semi-commitable characters... Eek! People I felt had one to many screws loose, but I digress. Let's just say we gave Bey what she was looking for if you've seen the video. Of course you had her hired/continuously used models there... Get your checks!!!
The shot I can specifically state that I was in was the big group scene, when the camera cuts to the entire crowd. I won't try and point myself out. It's pointless. I just revel in the experience. There were a few times during the day where I was asked to do things or move closer into the main shots. I even had a solo shot that wasn't used. I loved that part. Just me and that camera.... It's a match made in heaven I tell you! The main piece I take from this experience is the readiness I had that just boiled up to the surface. There was no fight/struggle/resistance... It just happened. I can't explain it. I was just there ready to work. Period. Point blank. #vortexmoment <--- Those that know... know.
Anyway, the shoot was about 17 hours, and I was balls deep the entire time. As the day grew later and later more and more people disappeared. I don't know why, but I know half were there when I left at 1:30a. The video was basically how hard did you want to work to try and get in a scene. Real talk. If you wanted to be in a scene you for damn sure keep yourself present and ready to go. Why wouldn't you though??? By the end of the night I was giving all that I had left. Momma was tired and not looking forward to the 30 minute drive back to NoHo.
No one was forcing anyone's hand in getting up and going to set. It was a long day, but how many people can say that 3 months into moving to LA they're in a Beyonce' video........... I'll wait.
For that very reason I feel like I should share that one small moment of success with you guys. Nothing happens over night (ignore my specific situation) lol... I put in work just to get the opportunity to move to LA to meet some amazing people. I just wanted to post this to document my journey and maybe give someone else a little nudge to pursue their dream. Check it below of some downtime we had.... Enjoy it if you haven't already!!!! #desaraimonae #ILOVELA #ILLA
