When Im not actively auditioning or filming, I often find myself on music video sets. But 9.99 times out of 10, Im not all glammed up in front of the camera. Instead, youll find me in my Saturday afternoon t-shirt, holey jeans and comfy Ugg boots, shadowing the director of my current film project like a puppy – half trying to be helpful while learning another aspect of the biz, and half trying to stay out of the way. Why? Its not that I havent been asked to do videos. On most music video sets, Ive been mistaken for the girl thats simply dragging her little feet getting to hair, makeup, and wardrobe. When its discovered that Im there with the crew, helping my director while making some extra starving artist cash, theres often a predictable and comical discussion that ensues regarding where they can fit me in. Recently, on one set, they attempted to replace the principle young lady, who was right in the middle of becoming camera-ready, which understandably led to quite a scene. Two words: No Bueno! But everything was all good again after they learned of my personal on-camera preferences, which, as you might have already guessed, exclude most music videos. Trust me, I have nothing against them (or the young ladies that perform in them), but personally, and professionally, I just prefer not to be stamped or remembered by most as a video vixen. Im an actress. Not a model. Not a dancer. And if I am to be featured in a music video, Id like it to be directly related to my career in some fashion, or at the very least, pass my checklist of must nots (items dealing with the sexual exploitation and objectification of women). Ive turned down many opportunities when I could have used the money, simply because in the bigger picture, it just didnt fit for me. Much to my surprise, all of the artists whom Ive had to explain this to have been extremely supportive, appreciative even, of my decision to limit my exposure in this manner as a woman, even though we would be standing right in the middle of their own video shoots. Despite some of their lyrical content and video visuals, Ive come across those that really do understand that inside of the sexy exterior of their visions are sisters, daughters, mothers and young ladies that aspire to be seen as more than just shake and jiggle. But I must admit, I am very much yin and yang. And there is a tomboy inside of me that is just as strong as the girlie-girl; so if given the opportunity to do what the boys do for a quick second – you know, laid back and cool, ridin dirty and such. I may just have to jump on that one! But seriously, it just has to make sense career-wise. And honestly, I apply similar logic to my film and television roles, although I do allow a little more leeway in these areas due to the fact that acting is my focus. After my last article [Noree’s Casting Couch], a member by the name of chocolaterain posed a series of questions regarding what I will and wont compromise to further my career in film. All good questions indeed. This past week, my New York agent called me to audition for a movie that will no doubt be very popular among us hip-hoppers when it drops, as it chronicles the lifetime of one of the industrys greats – may he rest in peace. The exposure for me would have been incredible among a certain audience. However, I declined the audition. The first role was for a young lady that lures the artist into a hot tub, and then commences to go down on him. The second was for a groupie that gets yanked out of bed naked and stomped to smithereens by wifey, and the third role just had full back nudity for no reason at all. Now theres no doubt in my mind that there was plenty of real hind parts in this artists life. But I just cant show mine, not in that way. But dont get me all twisted. Im not opposed to nudity or love scenes in the least, nor am I ashamed of my body. As a matter of fact, I enjoy watching some of them, and have already filmed one implied intimate scene (without nudity) and am rehearsing for a role that may require silhouetted nudity (shadows only) with my costar. But context and depiction are everything to me. Everything. At this stage in my career, Im just not comfortable depicting a hyper-sexual ho, video vixen, or scandalous seductress. I prefer my on-screen intimacies to develop in the context of meaningful relationships where the two characters develop some semblance of an emotional connection. However, honestly speaking, if or when I am ever paid upwards of several million plus per feature, perhaps I too will find myself face down in front of a couch having a Monsters Ball (love ya Halle!). In the midst of what I stand for, I still am no angel, and am just keeping it funky about the reality of individual circumstances. Until then, you just gotta be my boyfriend. *wink* After all, my dad is somewhere out there watching – and typecasting is a b####. Love, Hip-Hip, and Naked Film, Noree Victoria Check in with Noree Victoria at www.myspace.com/noreevictoria
When Im not actively auditioning or filming, I often find
myself on music video sets. But 9.99 times out of 10, Im not all glammed up
in front of the camera.
Instead, youll find me in my Saturday afternoon t-shirt,
holey jeans and comfy Ugg boots, shadowing the director of my current film
project like a puppy – half trying to be helpful while learning another aspect
of the biz, and half trying to stay out of the way.
Why?
Its not that I havent been asked to do videos. On most music video sets, Ive been mistaken
for the girl thats simply dragging her little feet getting to hair, makeup,
and wardrobe.
When its discovered that Im there with the crew, helping
my director while making some extra starving artist cash, theres often a
predictable and comical discussion that ensues regarding where they can fit me
in.
Recently, on one set, they attempted to replace the
principle young lady, who was right in the middle of becoming camera-ready, which
understandably led to quite a scene. Two words: No Bueno! But everything was all good again after they learned of
my personal on-camera preferences, which, as you might have already guessed,
exclude most music videos.
Trust me, I have nothing against them (or the young ladies
that perform in them), but personally, and professionally, I just prefer not to
be stamped or remembered by most as a video vixen. Im an actress. Not a
model. Not a dancer. And if I am to be
featured in a music video, Id like it to be directly related to my career in
some fashion, or at the very least, pass my checklist of must nots (items
dealing with the sexual exploitation and objectification of women).
Ive turned down many opportunities when I could have used
the money, simply because in the bigger picture, it just didnt fit for me. Much
to my surprise, all of the artists whom Ive had to explain this to have been
extremely supportive, appreciative even, of my decision to limit my exposure in
this manner as a woman, even though we would be standing right in the middle of
their own video shoots.
Despite some of their lyrical content and video visuals,
Ive come across those that really do understand that inside of the sexy
exterior of their visions are sisters, daughters, mothers and young ladies that
aspire to be seen as more than just shake and jiggle.
But I must admit, I am very much yin and yang. And there is
a tomboy inside of me that is just as strong as the girlie-girl; so if given
the opportunity to do what the boys do for a quick second – you know, laid
back and cool, ridin dirty and such. I may just have to jump on that one! But seriously, it just has to
make sense career-wise.
And honestly, I apply similar logic to my film and television
roles, although I do allow a little more leeway in these areas due to the fact
that acting is my focus. After my last article [Noree’s Casting Couch], a member by the name of chocolaterain
posed a series of questions regarding what I will and wont compromise to
further my career in film. All good questions indeed.
This past week, my New York agent called me to audition for
a movie that will no doubt be very popular among us hip-hoppers when it drops,
as it chronicles the lifetime of one of the industrys greats – may he rest in
peace. The exposure for me would have been incredible among a certain audience.
However, I declined the audition.
The first role was for a young lady that lures the artist
into a hot tub, and then commences to go down on him. The second was for a
groupie that gets yanked out of bed naked and stomped to smithereens by wifey,
and the third role just had full back nudity for no reason at all. Now theres
no doubt in my mind that there was plenty of real hind parts in this artists
life. But I just cant show mine, not in that way.
But dont get me all twisted. Im not opposed to nudity or
love scenes in the least, nor am I ashamed of my body. As a matter of fact, I
enjoy watching some of them, and have already filmed one implied intimate scene
(without nudity) and am rehearsing for a role that may require silhouetted
nudity (shadows only) with my costar. But context
and depiction are everything to me. Everything.
At this stage in my career, Im just not comfortable
depicting a hyper-sexual ho, video vixen, or scandalous seductress. I prefer
my on-screen intimacies to develop in the context of meaningful relationships
where the two characters develop some semblance of an emotional connection.
However, honestly speaking, if or when I am ever paid
upwards of several million plus per feature, perhaps I too will find myself
face down in front of a couch having a Monsters
Ball (love ya Halle!). In the midst of what I stand for, I still am no
angel, and am just keeping it funky about the reality of individual
circumstances. Until then, you just gotta be my boyfriend. *wink*
After all, my dad is
somewhere out there watching – and typecasting is a b####.
Love, Hip-Hip, and Naked Film,
Noree Victoria
Check in with Noree
Victoria at www.myspace.com/noreevictoria
