I Committed

I filmed a scene in a basement where I was trying to find my way out. I had been locked down there by a stalker who believed we were in love.  He had changed my clothes, my jewelry...and had been drugging me for six days.  He had forced a wedding ring on my ring finger.
 
It was the last take in the basement and I had to go to the basement window in the hopes of getting some passerby's attention. Before the take began, I looked at my director. "Can I pull out the boards?," I asked.  "No," he replied, "they'll fall down too easily." "Can I climb on the sink?"  He said, "Yes."  "Can I bang on the windows?"  "Yes."

All this came after two hours of filming this scene in the basement.  At this point, I was emotionally and physically exhausted, as I had been banging and screaming and crying all morning. I had worked with this director in high-stakes situations before, and he knew that I work best when I can keep the situation as real as possible. So, I was surprised when the first take required me to try and break free through the door and I was able to turn the doorknob and run out.  At that point, I think everyone realized that I wasn't about to mime my escape. 
 
We get to the final take at the window...and I look out and see someone who can possibly help me.  I begin banging on the window, open-palmed, to get their attention.  My hand goes through the window, shattering the glass, and severs a nerve in my wrist.  I have surgery tomorrow. 
 

But at least committed.

--Sharina Martin