I really don’t mind working long days.  On a TV or film set, you spend 82% of your time waiting around for something to happen.  There’s an immense amount of downtime.  Thus, working 12-14 hours, while tedious, isn’t exactly grueling.

That is, unless you’re in FRONT of the camera.

I forgot how taxing it is to go from being off (sitting around waiting for the crew to get ready) to being on (LIGHTS!  CAMERA!  ACTION!)  I liken it to running sprints.  You go as quickly as humanly possible trying to dazzle your director and nail your lines.  Then, comes two hours where you lay around propped up by a couple apple boxes.  Just when you’ve gotten relaxed, the director calls you back to the set.  After about four or five of those “sprints”, I’m ready to sleep 22 hours.  In a row.

You’ll note in most of my Halls’ performances, I’m equally charming, engaging and downright gregarious.  Am I like that in real life?  Sometimes, but never to that exaggerated degree.  It’s called charisma … and it’s exhausting.   And a little nauseating.  By the end of the day, I’m so tired I barely have the energy to drive home.  Either that or I’m so incensed at being “perky” all day, I want to kick a puppy.

The “Little Black Dress” segment was the last shoot of a lengthy day.   You can tell I’m desperately trying to give it one last “oomph”.   Case in point … I never drink soda.  But I proceeded to guzzle one over the lunch hour to keep me frosty.  Big mistake.  By the time some of these scenes rolled around, I was crashing from my sugar high.  And why I’m talking in a faux-British accent (with shades of Suzanne Sugarbaker), I’ll never know?  Clearly, not my best performance … but it’s the one getting the most rave reviews.

Women covet their little black dresses.  I’ve had more women tell me their favorite outfits were often the simple, elegant ones.  And in this particular segment you learn how to take a simple cocktail dress from happy hour to late evening to a donut shop that turns into an underground Brazilian drag bar around 3:30am.  (Yes, it exists.  Don’t ask.  It’s a lot like Fight Club … but with sequins.)

Black is slimming.  Black is forgiving.  Black is sensible.  Black is demur, tasteful and stylish.   Be good to yourself, ladies.  It’s time to invest in a new little black dress.  And, for the love of God, get some new shoes to go with it.  You’ll thank me later.