HOLLYWOOD SECRET NUMBER TWO: Movie trailers are an important piece of real estate for a film. A good film trailer can create industry, fan, and Internet buzz months or even a year before a movie's release. A lousy trailer can drive potential moviegoers away in less than two minutes. Movie trailers have become so important that studios actually vie for placement before certain films and even request what order their trailer be placed in the rotation (the last trailer before the feature is typically better than the first one, which most people miss because they're buying Milk Duds). The inside word is that some studios pay big money to make sure their trailer gets shown exactly where they want it. But you didn't hear that from me.

"Do you know why movie trailers are called trailers?" I whisper during a lame-looking romantic comedy trailer with an aging B-lister and a way-too-young-for-him blonde.

"No, why?" Austin whispers back.

"Back in the 1950s movie trailers ran after the movie, not before," I tell him as I steal a handful of his Milk Duds. He swipes a few of my Raisinets.

Suddenly I hear my own voice, and it's not coming from my mouth. What the ... ? I glance at the screen. It is me! They're showing the trailer for Pretty Young Assassins.

"Hey, that's you!" Austin says excitedly.

"SHHHH!" Someone behind us hushes.

In under two minutes, we watch me battle debris, fight with Sky (who plays my backstabbing best friend), and see my character run from Mrs. Murphy, the evil clone doctor, and her army. The last shot is of Drew Thomas, who plays my boyfriend, and me on the run from a speeding car. A loud, upbeat soundtrack plays as the scenes cut fast and furious and our names -- director Hutch Adams, Kaitlin Burke, Drew Thomas, Sky Mackenzie (in that order) -- flash across the screen. At the end, the screen goes black and the title appears in bloodred letters -- Pretty Young Assassins, coming to you this May.

A few people clap and I feel myself blush. I know what I said about trailers, but still. The movie shoot might have been a nightmare, but the movie itself looked good.

"You looked amazing." Austin kisses my cheek. "Very Princess Leia-like. I especially liked your tight black leather pants."

I giggle. "Keep May open," I tell him. "I want you to be my date for the premiere."

Austin squeezes my hand. "I wouldn't miss it."

FA may be ending, but I guess I do have something fun to look forward to.

Monday, January 5

NOTE TO SELF:

REALLY call back Seth. He's left 4 messages!

Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., call times: 6:30 AM

Cinch 4 a Cause luncheon w/Lizzie: Sat.

Three: Cinch for a Cause

Rodney's just dropped me off at the Cinch for a Cause luncheon and I'm standing outside the restaurant trying not to fall asleep standing up. We shot on location last night till eleven so I'm exhausted. Under-eye circles or not, there was no way I was missing this. Cinch's lunch combines two great perks: I can buy a limited-edition handbag and raise money for cancer research at the same time!