Old School Polaroid pictures are the best! This one is pretty special to me as it is from my first ever commercial job. Don’t shoot me, but it was for Kentucky Fried Chicken (back when they used the whole name and didn’t abbreviate it to distract customers that it was indeed FRIED food). The photo is signed by “himself” Col. Sanders! Yes in my previous life I was an actress. This film location was pretty cool too, out on a fancy ranch in Malibu! Growing up we could never afford to eat out, even at places like KFC, so it was a treat to taste the famous chicken and all the other goodies at the Craft Services.
It was amazing that I actually got the job. The audition was what is referred to in the biz as a “cattle call” as there were thousands of kids trying out for the role. How do you get noticed in a situation like that! Well in my case it was what I call A+A. I got the part because of an Accident and Authenticity! The story goes that the casting director happened to walk past me in a frenzy and accidentally dropped a piece of paper from her clipboard. I saw it, picked it up and ran after her and looking her straight in the eyes with a big smile I said, “excuse me I think this is yours.” I never knew what was on that paper, I’ve never been a nosey person so I didn’t look…but apparently it was VERY important. She thanked me and asked my name. The next day the phone rang and I booked my first commercial job. That accidental and authentic moment got me noticed!
An “Accident” to some might also be considered to be fate, luck, coincidence, happenstance, predestined etc. But basically it’s being at the right place at the right time. Those moments are the ones I thank God for because those are out of my control. But what is in my control is how I deal with them, how I respond. And that my friends is where “Authenticity’ comes into play. It makes no difference your age either. You think authenticity would come easiest to children but I’ve even seen them do things that seem contrived…trying too hard to win people over, “playing the game” and “working the system”. Maybe it has just become such a part of our competitive world. But I believe that when you are a genuine nice person, doing the right thing ,most people see the honesty in that like it is translucent.
I’m not trying to be an expert here giving advice on how to be successful in your career, or how to win the affections of a potential mate/partner.. but I do want to stress the aspect of authenticity in general. I suspect many job seekers (in any field but particularly in Hollywood) face a sort of desperation. And many will do anything to get that job! They take classes and courses, read books on how to get ahead and influence people. Sometimes it can all be a bit contrived. But I believe those on the other end, the employers for instance, do sense when people are being real or not. And the same can be said for getting noticed in relationships, neighborhoods, schools, sports teams. etc. Sometimes what sets us apart from others isn’t our looks, education, or talent but simply being ourselves! There is only one of ME and only one of YOU! When you embrace who you are it makes it easier to look people in the eye and smile!
Thankfully these days I am able to afford to go to Kentucky Fried Chicken, however I prefer to make my own version (since I’m ME and my name is Karen) so here’s the recipe for KFC…
Ingredients:
1 pkg. organic chicken tender fillets
3 Tbsp melted butter
Marinade:
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Coating:
1 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
¾ cup Parmesan cheese
6 Tbsp plain flour
1 Tbsp thyme
1 ½ Tbsp lemon zest
1 ½ Tbsp dry mustard
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Method:
- Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add the chicken pieces, mix all around to get coated and chill in fridge for as long as possible.
- When ready to cook, preheat oven to 450F
- Mix together all the coating ingredients and then one by one coat chicken and place on a baking tray .
- Drizzle with the melted butter and bake for 20 minutes, turning the chicken pieces once.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce…mine is honey!
Tasty Love,
YDP
