Fred Seagraves – Photographer
I was 21 and about to finish my UCLA undergraduate work : a Bachelor in Theatre Arts. I was felling pretty good about my future and I that would be able to finish my Bachelors Degree on time! An accomplishment! My close theatre friends said that they were looking around to find an agent to represent them in Film/Television. They said that I should also be looking. I might be able to get actual work.
I decided to call some agents offices that had been suggested to me and was able to land an appointment at a commercial agency in Hollywood on Sunset near the SAG office.
I dressed like a coed at UCLA: clean and perky. Everyone said that I looked five years younger than my actual age. —so I thought I was perfect to be cast in the latest High School TV series (Room 222).
I met with a nice gentleman at 10 am on a beautiful Tuesday morning. This commercial Agent who probably didn’t have a B.A in anything thing, greeted me and reviewed my photo and resume. He said that I had a future in theatrical, but that I should:
1. Get my teeth fixed —-they were a little “buck” in front’
2. Get my nose fixed – too Native American, I guess
3. Change my name from AVILA to something else.
I went home confused.
I told my Dad about my interview. He said very briefly and without rancor, “… you can get your teeth fixed if you like, your nose as well, but there is nothing wrong with your name. Avila is a good name. Nothing wrong with it.”
I had no desire to fix my nose. I also sang very well . It would definitely mess up my singing to get a “nose job”. Further, I had no idea what kind of nose, I would “get”. I eventually had my teeth worked on…very slightly..
But my Dad’s words stayed with me. I still hear his stillness and consideration of telling his 21 year old daughter. “There is nothing wrong with your name.”
Years later I realized what he was actually saying to me.
I recall a section of an early album by Shelly Berman who was a fantastic comic of the 60s. He tells a story of a young man (himself) who is passionate to go to New York and study acting. With great fear, he shares his dream with his ever critical Father, who predicts nothing but failure and disappointment for his boy. The young man persists with a beautiful monologue. At last, the Father agrees to help him and give him some money to go New York and become an actor and finally says to him.”…Shelly, don’t change your name…..”.
So I didn’t.
