HOT PURSUIT

For most actors and singers, it boils down to their superb acting abilities, performance skills, voice talents and in many cases, good looks. I’m not sure where I fall into any of those categories, but I made my acting debut last week.

Just as I was about to write off any chance of getting an acting gig during my lifetime, my daughter came through with a one-of-a-kind opportunity for her dear old father. She is a marketing genius for a Sioux Falls-based firm that specializes in branding for various clients around the country. One of their latest clients is Taco John’s.

My daughter called me up to see if I’d like to be in one of the commercials her firm is currently putting together for the quick-service Mexican restaurant chain. How could I turn down such an opportunity, especially for the home of the signature Potato Oles?

I was told to show up last week at a warehouse in south Minneapolis where the commercial was being filmed. After a quick introduction from my daughter’s colleagues, I settled in for my big show business debut and it was just like Hollywood: lights, camera and action.

To my amazement, they needed me to simply dip one of their products in a cheesy dip under intense lighting and instructions. The camera was aimed at the dipping container and was focused solely on my hand dipping into the sauce.

As I wrestled with getting the correct form down as to how they wanted my hand to dip into the sauce while holding the food item, it took a few takes to get things just right. But after three or four takes, I came across with the exact form they were looking for. It was deemed a wrap, and I quickly learned it’s all about the hands.

I guess I should have known when my daughter asked me for close up photographs of my hands prior to be chosen for the gig. I must have some sort of special technique with my hands, though I have no idea where that ever originated from. Maybe it’s all those hours my hands fly across the keyboard while writing columns and stories.

I’ve always made use of my hands as I like to gesture, ie: talking with my hands, which, of course, usually involves your entire body. But I’ve never used them for something quite like this. My face was never shown at all, just my right hand.

I kidded with my family over the past week how I’m ready to begin a national tour featuring my hands as they will soon become world famous.

My hand will be one of several featured in the Taco John’s commercial which is scheduled to air nationwide next month. If you get a chance, you’ll have to see if you can pick mine out.

It amazes me how much production work goes into making a simple 30-second or shorter commercial. There were about a dozen full-time workers from the marketing firm and Taco John’s involved with making this commercial. While my part only took about 30 minutes, they were shooting other parts of the commercial for the entire day.

Not everything in this life is focused on how you look, your acting abilities or singing talents. As I found out, sometimes it’s a matter of just going in hot pursuit of showcasing what your hands will allow you to do.