Step into the Ring of Action – Say Yes!

Thursday Thoughts, Inspiration, Motivation for Saying YES!

The rusty door opened slowly and inside popped a colorful boxing ring complete with hanging banners, punching bags, boxing gloves, ringside seats, and the smell of stale sweat. I agreed once again to try something new, an adventure of sorts, after seeing a post by my friend Colleen Murphy, a local actress. A mob-inspired boxing match for a local movie was being filmed, and they needed extras in the stands acting as spectators during the boxing fights.

Boxing remains one of the sports I have yet to try officially, and my day was open for some adventure, so I accepted the ringside seats to perform as a spectator while watching a live boxing match in person. The scene being shot was about two pro boxers fighting in an inner city gym while behind the scenes a deal has gone down between one of the fighter’s managers and the mob. The boxers performing the scene are actual boxers and the hits looked real. The mobsters looked like some of my Italian relatives.

I’ve seen Rocky, just like you. I’ve seen mob-like movies where Italians place bets hoping to win big time. I’ve witnessed spectators in crowds booing and cheering. I just never figured I’d be in one. It wasn’t on my list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2024, but there I was excited as a kid in a candy store taking in all the action – even the “rush and wait” mentality behind filming.

My first acting debut was as both an actress and director of my own play in our garage when I was ten years old. I recruited my sister and neighbor to be in it. We used the colorful backdrops from my mom’s productions as a dance teacher for the deaf. I wrote the script. We served Jello and milk to neighbors who came to witness our Oscar Award winning production.

Yesterday, as I took my place on the risers, I sat among fellow extras who had done this numerous times before. Pros, I would say, who shared their experiences and tips for getting more calls to action in the acting world. One of them was a woman entrepreneur, Katrina Lynne, a photographer from Baldwinsville, who when she handed me her promotional materials, had the image of one of my friends on it. The world is small.

Together we cheered, booed, yelled, stood up, picked a winner so our delivery was real, were silent for B-role background sounds, and in between chatted about life. It really wasn’t any different than being at a woman’s business luncheon and getting to know the new women at your table but in a much more colorful setting. 

The director Joe Cunningham, who also plays the main character Joe Barnes, was excellent at coordinating the entire production. The movie “The Sentinel” is about a combat veteran who struggles to care for his young son while dealing with severe PTSD. It will be out shortly and I’ll promote it as I always do with things I am involved with.

Next time he needs a female boxer for his movie, maybe he’ll consider allowing an old-timer like me in his ring to give it a shot! A sports girl trying every sport once can only hope. So, please say YES to all the opportunities you are given. By doing so, you’ll expand your world and open up doors with a colorful experience to walk into.

Note: Find out more about The Sentinel at their IMDb link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13180808 or on their Facebook page @The Sentinel-Film.