The tryouts

Okay. So I've gone back and forth on this. A lot.

Should I post it? Should I keep my trap shut? Should I say something? Should I keep quiet?

But it's reached the point, gang, that I feel like I really have to say something about the I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU movie tryout situation...IF there is going to be a tryout. And that's a HUGE if. And that's kind of the point.

See, there are a lot of things I've learned about the movie process.

1. writers don't have any say. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. For all I know they're filming in Canada right now. Which...they aren't. But they could be because I'm that out of the loop. I signed contracts saying that Disney (now Walden Media) has film rights to the book and that was the end of my involvement. Period.

2. in the case of the LYKY movie, there are producers attached to the project, and there are writers working on a screenplay. But no actors or directors will be involved until AFTER the script is finished.

3. for a movie like this I would be very, very surprised if they have an open casting call of any kind. I know we've all heard stories about how movie producers went all over England for kids to try out for Harry Potter but--let's face it folks--this isn't Harry Potter.

4. I did have lunch with one of the film producers several weeks ago and we did talk about actors/actresses for the main roles. They're all very talented people who are currently involved in the industry. NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN OFFERED A ROLE YET--please understand this. It was just kind of like Christmas--we were making wish lists.

5. At no point during the lunch did the producer mention having casting calls or auditions. Now, this doesn't mean it WON'T happen, and that's why I hate to say anything that might trample on anyone's dreams. But I do think that it's good to keep things as realistic and as in-perspective as possible.

6. the movie may very well never get made. Sure, all signs are good right now, but do you guys have any idea how hard it is to get a film made? How many hoops you have to clear? How many stars have to align perfectly? This whole thing could fall apart tomorrow, so don't say I didn't warn you.


I'm not saying don't follow your dreams, and I'll never say don't dream big. But when I look at Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears I just pray that these are not your role models and that your desire to be in the LYKY movie isn't stemming from a desire to be them.

I remember hearing a quote once about how it used to be that people were famous for being special and now people are special for being famous.

You know what I think? I think it would be great if, instead of trying to be a Gallagher Girl in the movies, we all tried a little harder to be like the Gallagher Girls in real life.

Learn a language; study hard; be fiercely loyal friends...

And you'll all be stars in my book.




-Ally