Iıve had an agent for about six years now. I sort of got it on a whim. There was this playwright I knew named Grubb who started working with the New Mexico Film Industry and moonlighted as an actorıs agent. He told me to get him a head shot, sign some papers, and viola, I had a contract with Applause Talent Agency. I didnıt take it very seriously in the beginning because there was hardly any film work in Albuquerque, but it was always nice to say I had an agent.

Over time, the playwright/agent got heavily involved with the community college film tech program and a local digital film festival. The only work I ever got from him was when he cast me in a play he directed called "The Pillowman," which had nothing to do with film industry or the agency. Theatre doesnıt really pay, but I took the gig. Ultimately, Applause was taken over by a lady named Lenny, and because I was an old friend of Grubbıs, I got to stay on as a client. The film industry blew up to an impressive degree with both TV and film projects being shot all over New Mexico, and bit parts were available for local actors. Apparently, even me.

I average about three auditions a year, for a couple lines in a movie, a moment role in a TV series, or my picture taken for print ads. I have never been booked for any job through the agency. The closest I came was getting called back for the movie Beerfest. I didnıt get a part and settled for being an anonymous extra in the crowd. They talk about being a natural for TV and film, and Iım still trying to figure that out. I always tell my agent to stick with me, and she does.

On Monday, Lenny called me up and asked if I had a picture of my daughter, Donna Rose. We had Christmas pictures taken a couple months ago, so I sent her a cute one. On Thursday, she called back asking if she could go to an audition that day (this is how ready you have to be). Apparently, Blue Cross/Blue Shield needed kids for their ad campaign to encourage people to insure their children (weıre actually on the Medicaid). At 3:30 p.m., Donna Rose, Maria & I went downtown to get test shots by the photographer. The handler gushed over our almost six-month old, and Donna Rose sat and made faces at the camera for about ten minutes. ³Sheıs just so adorable,² she kept saying.

Iıve always thought my baby was cute, except for the first day of her life when I thought she looked like an old Jewish man. She settled quite quickly into a little cutie that I basically take for granted until I see other peopleıs babies. Of course, everyone thinks their baby is the cutest, so I still assumed I was a bit biased. Sure, Donna Rose is cute, but weıll see how she does compared to professional babies.

At four oı clock on Friday, Lenny called Maria to say our baby got the job. Be at the studio at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. It paid $350 with fifty going to Lenny. Thatıs right. Iıve been auditioning for paid work unsuccessfully for six years, and my baby books on her first attempt. Already better than daddy.

The alarm was set for 6:30 a.m. on Saturday to be at the studio on time, but Donna Rose woke up with an achy mouth at a quarter to four. This is not that uncommon for teething babies. We got up, fed her and gave her some Humphries to soothe the gums. She was back down by 4:30 a.m., but I couldnıt sleep. Not because I was worried about the photo shoot, but I was thinking too much about the play I just directed. We all have our projects.

Up by six thirty and out the door by 7:40, our trio was the first to arrive at the studio. As the photographers set up lights and flashes and the like, the lady handlers gushed over Donna Rose to no end. It turns out that Blue Cross wanted kids of all ages, and our baby was the youngest. With a touch of make up, our baby/model was ready for the big time.

Basically, they wanted to take pictures of kids with a blue blanket, so they could Œcover themselves in Blue Salud.ı Donna Rose turned out to be what I have never mastered: Being Natural. Not only did she not cry when flashes went off (weıve taken a few home shots in our day), but she would try a different move with the blue blanket every few seconds. Even lying on her stomach (which she doesnıt enjoy) was no problem. They took about thirty shots, and she soaked up all the attention with demeanor of a pro. Thatıs right, sheıs a professional baby, and Maria and I were the parents behind the scene beaming with pride. One tech guy watching the shoot told me ŒThey said I was cute for the first 18 months.ı I said ŒOh yeah, weıre cashing in on this cuteness while itıs hot.ı Thatıs when I noticed that I was the only father at the shoot. Not sure if thereıs anything to that, but thatıs the truth.

We were done by 9 a.m. with a half dozen older kids waiting for their chance. Next up was the 18-month old boy who instantly cried when the flashes went off. Not quite as natural as our wee one. Even Donna Rose was getting sleepy from getting up at an odd hour, but she had done her job well. It is only a matter of time before I see pictures of my baby with a blue blanket in public. When and where is yet to be determined. All in all, sheıs still just a baby with all the mood swings and poop and gurgles that come with it. This was also her first test with the publicıs attention, and I must say one more time, sheıs quite a natural.

Iım convinced all this happened from the good luck of being newly engaged to Maria, but thatıs a whole other column.

Chris Jungle still goes to his own auditions when they arise.