This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jenna Moloney. It has been edited for length and clarity.
As a teenager, I spent most of my time inside, in the dance studio. On the rare occasions I got outside, I ignored sunscreen because I wanted to tan — or at least get a sunburn that would turn into a tan. At 15, I got sun poisoning; I was throwing up, red, and blistered.
When I landed the role of “severely sunburned girl” on “The Pitt,” my mom laughed, reminding me of that sunburn.
Courtesy of Jenna Moloney
Although the role was funny, appearing on “The Pitt” gave me happiness I’d never experienced. A year ago, I was still acting in unpaid student films, so being a costar on the top-rated show on HBO Max… well, what better feeling is there?
My roommate helped me film an audition tape
Last fall, my agent called me and said, “You need to do this audition tonight.” Although I was planning a move to LA, I was still living in Florida at the time, working a 9 to 5 in marketing.
I asked my roommate to run lines with me and did two takes: a serious one and a sillier one to show range. I was up late putting the audition tape together, and submitted it around midnight.
Three weeks later, I found out I got the part. It was insane. I’ve filmed some commercials, but this was my first television role. As an actor, film and TV are always the goal.
Getting the sunburn on and off took hours each day
Initially, I had just one line — the one that’s since become an internet meme. Dr. McKay, played by Fiona Dourif, asks how I’m feeling, and I reply, “Stupid, and really, really sore.” I appeared in the background of other scenes, so I was booked for three days of filming.
My sunburn was airbrushed on each day by one of the make-up artists on set. I had to be there about an hour and a half before everyone else. Sometimes that was really early, like a 5 a.m. call time. Although getting the “burn” every day was a lot, I liked getting to know the make-up artist and other staff — these great humans who other actors don’t get to spend as much time with.
Taking the makeup off was a production, too. I scrubbed for about 30 minutes with an oil-based makeup remover, then got in the shower to use body wash. Still, I kept finding red makeup on my headphones.
Everyone on set was kind and encouraging
After the initial three days of filming were wrapped, the producers at “The Pitt” asked me to film another scene, one that Noah Wyle wrote. When my agent told me that, I said, “I’m sorry, I have to hang up and call my mom.”
Courtesy of Jenna Moloney
Noah helped me work on my line delivery and told me I was doing a great job. Being respected by an Emmy-award-winning actor did so much for my confidence. He really set a tone of kindness and collaboration on set, and I felt it from everyone, whether it was Fiona Dourif or the intimacy coordinator who was with me while I got my makeup done.
I had a watch party at my apartment
I made the daily minimum amount set by the Screen Actors Guild, about $1,200 per day. I was on set for seven days, so it was a nice amount of money. Since moving to LA and leaving my marketing job, I’ve been paying my bills by creating brand videos for social media, and that income varies widely.
Courtesy of Jenna Moloney
When my episodes aired, I reserved the media room at my apartment complex in Hollywood. I invited friends from an acting class I’m taking, and we had a little watch party. That was very rewarding. I just moved to LA and don’t have an abundance of friends here, so having people support me was great.
The two weeks since my first episode aired have been a whirlwind. I’m excited to see what comes next.
