A Smile You Can’t Look Away From

Updated June 23, 2025

“Alright!” the Assistant Director shouts. “Let’s take 5!”

I’d just finished the close up shot and the guys needed a few minutes to reset for the wide. A PA escorts me off set and into a holding area ostensibly to keep me safe, but realistically to keep me out of the way. I tend to get curious when lights and cameras come whizzing by. How many watts is your light? An Arri 35, huh? Can I see your f-stops?

“Do I have time to grab a quick bite?” I ask. I’m not even hungry, but breakfast was so good I wanted a second helping. Avocado toast and chia seed pudding with fresh fruit? What could go wrong?

The commercial is for Lumineux’s toothpaste, which, as the commercial says, gives people a bright, healthy looking smile people can’t look away from. This gag is that it’s so bright, the camera man can’t stop zooming in on my mouth.

Because we were shooting such a tight shot of my mouth—it sounds creepier than it is—the guys rigged up a teleprompter with a live feed from the camera so I could see myself, or rather, my mouth.

I walk off set and am greeted by the warmest smile I’ve seen all day, including my own.

“You are hilarious!” the brand director says as she gives a huge hug. “I keep seeing this guy as a recurring character!”

Had she stopped at “hilarious” I could have died a happy man. As someone who spends an inordinate amount of time trying to be funny, that’s high praise. But then to add a hug? Like a real, wrap-your-arms-around-another-human-being kind of hugs, and not one of those tap-the-back-shoulder-two-times kind of hug? That’s just too much. I blush.

“It’s so much fun up there,” I say. “Thanks so much for having me.” Wait, did she say '“recurring character?”

I quickly eat another chia seed pudding, head back to set, and stand on my mark.

“Picture’s up!” That’s set-speak for everyone can see what’s on camera; let’s get ready!

I look into the monitor. “Uh… Can we take another five? Also, does anyone have toothpaste?”