Skills Like This: Travis Edition

[Travis Sheridan]

Eminem once said, "What if you get one shot...one opportunity. Would you take it? Or just let it slip?"

So I caught the movie Skills Like This at the Fifth Annual Fresno Film Festival. It was a good film, very enjoyable, and the crowd really seemed to like it. As is customary at many film fests, the program mentioned that there would be special filmmaker appearances. Well, for Skills Like This, actress Kerry Knuppe was onsite to introduce the film. She was a nice, young actress and represented the film very well. I didn't realize that I was going to play a role in the night's festivities...

On the weekends, I like to have fun with my hair...it's like my personal Ecth-a-Sketch. So last night I decided to pick out my fro...it can get pretty huge. I failed to realize that the lead character, Max Solomon also sports well-groomed afro in the film.

At the conclusion of the film I wandered outside to grab a glass of champagne and some grub (it was a catered affair...la-tee-da). I was instantly approached by a strange man whom I had never met, let's call him Bob (because his name was actually Bob...it was probably really Robert, but he introduced himself as Bob...I digress). Below is the conversation as best as I can remember:

Bob: Hey, you're that guy....from the film.
Me: Excuse me, oh, no...wait...Yes. Yes I am
Bob: Wow, this is great. You were great. It's so cool you are here.
Me: I've been looking forward to the Festival. (actual truth)
Bob: Where was the film made?
Me: In Denver, Colorado (this information was provided during the intro remarks made by the film's real star, Kerry Knuppe).
Bob: What was it like sitting in the audience and seeing yourself on the screen...must be pretty cool, huh?
Me: It was weird. I was sitting there watching this person on the screen and It was like it wasn't even me (actual truth...because it wasn't me).
Bob: Man, you are pretty cool. So is this your first time in Fresno?
Me: Nah. In the area a lot. I don't know. Fresno just seems to suit me very well.

At this point I see Kerry Knuppe (aka Lucy from the film) walking nearby. What should I do next? This is kinda fun...

Me (yelling and motioning with my arm): Kerry. Kerry.
Kerry (willing walking over with a smile): Hi.
(as she is walking toward us I lean over to her and tell her that Bob thinks I am her co-star. She smiles and begins to play along).
Me: Bob, this is Kerry. She played Lucy in the film (actual truth).
Bob (full of glee): Wow you two did great. You worked so well together.
Me: Can you believe that before the film we didn't even know each other (actual truth)?
Kerry: It was great making the film.

There was some other dialog, but y'all get the point...oh, wait. Me and Bob meet in the buffet line...he happens to be right behind me (I think he started stalking me)...

Bob: So here we are again.
Me: Yep.
Bob: Wait? They make you wait in line for food (he has noticed the grave injustice)?
Me: Bob, I'm just a normal guy trying to fill my belly. I'm just like you.
Bob (all smiles): *chuckle*

So that was the situation. Heather McLane from the Beehive was nearby and witnessed the entire thing. Brodiemash, Michael Banti, Teresa Flores, and Mike Seay had to hear the story retold. It was a perfect opportunity.

Ms. Knuppe was a great sport and let me take a picture to go along with my blog post. She chatted with Me, Brodiemash and Heather for a few minutes. We invited her to join the fun at Palomino's, but I think Banti scared her off by trying to cast her in his Swede...oh well. It was a good story.

[The Fresnan]

She [Kerry] was so damn nice - and better looking in person. She just came up to (Teresa, Rebecca and me) and starting talking to us - asking what we do and stuff and actually seemed interested (oh wait...she's an actress...damn she's good). I got to tell her that I was a blogger and that people from Fresno refer to themselves as "Fresnans" - I'm sure she was extremely turned on at this point but just couldn't show it, because bloggers that talk about Fresno are, like, totally hot, to attractive actress from Colorado/LA.

That's an awesome story, Travis.

[Michael Banti]

It takes talent to scare women. For some reason it comes naturally to me.

[brodiemash]

I DID hear that guy say something behind us but I didn't hear the exact words. Awesome! Wish I could of been there for the actual encounter, though.

[Heather]

Making fun of old people ... does it ever grow tired? I say no.

The conversation was funny, but not as funny as when you sat down to watch the movie and the man behind you your hair went, "Oh, are you kidding me?"