TDFW: Issue #2 The Irrepressible Jill Flint
"Don't take any shit, kid."
JF: You’re gonna make me write a bio?
Want me to just make one up?
JF: Yes.
Jill Flint was a candlestick maker, snake charmer and quite possibly Belle Starr of the Jesse James, Cole Younger gang in her past life. She and I also shared the portrayal of an ass on network television once.
JF: Could you also mention my huge collection of homemade macramé doll/puppets in my basement?
Any weird jobs?
JF: Waitress, waitress, and more waitress. I guess I am the type that finds something that works and sticks with it. I had a high tolerance for bullshit so I guess you could say waiting tables was the job for me! Until it wasn't. That will segue me nicely into the third question about good advice. But first, a few of my super weird jobs. Weird job number one. I got paid $600 bucks to stand on 53rd and 6th Ave to hand out panty liners for two hours. It was a promotion. I had to wear this white, quilted (like the liner) Judy Jetson looking skirt. It was comical. You'd be amazed how many men sheepishly approached asking for some samples. What did I care?
The second ridiculous job was me in a bit for....Jesus what was it for...? I couldn't tell you at this point. It was maaaaaybe for Comedy Central or MTV. I was cast as a makeup artist in an ad for an upcoming TV event. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was hosting (harassing) the red carpet. Anyway, I show up thinking I will be wearing regular clothes. Ya know, cuz I'm playing a makeup artist. Nope. Next thing you know, I'm being squeezed into this tiny tank and handed a couple of chicken cutlets. My new assignment was to hold a poodle, while said poodle licked that stupid, cigar smoking, rubber puppet. That was, by the way, covered in smelly ass dog food. Meanwhile we had Snoop Dogg playing in the background. It was me and another unsuspecting actress. The only thing in the frame was our boobs, the poodles, and that dumb puppet.
Talk about a time when turning something down was a pivotal moment for you.
JF: I haven't really turned down an offer because I started turning down opportunities. Opportunities that often sexualized me in a way that I felt uncomfortable with. I have played the girlfriend in plenty of my tv and film roles. There is not always, but more often than not, a sex scene. I've had to get pretty clear about what I will or will not do. I had to become an advocate for my own body. I had to learn to take control of my space. I booked this beer commercial years ago, that was airing during the Super Bowl. This was post the Triumph bit. In the commercial I was supposed to be part of a tailgating party. That's what I auditioned for and that was the job I booked. At the fitting we settled on jeans, a cute sweater, scarf, and boots. When I showed up to set, there was a bikini hanging in my dressing room. They had decided over the weekend before the shoot to switch up the concept a little. THEY decided to add girls in bikinis to the tailgating party. THEY decided, without asking, that I would be one of those girls. I decided, HELL NO! I flat out refused. I immediately called my agent. Told them to fire me, didn't care, wasn't wearing that bikini. Turns out they were in breach of contract. I know that there are plenty of women that would've worn the bikini because they were fine with it. I know many more that would've done it even though they were not fine with it, but felt obligated. That's when I realized that I could always be in charge of how my body is portrayed.
Best or worst advice you’ve ever been given?
JF: Best life advice I have ever been given was from my great grandmother. She was a kind, loving, and sweet woman. Ya know, grandma. But she had a mouth of a sailor that only really came out when she cooked. Woman couldn't boil a potato. Her advice to me was, I quote, "Don't take any shit, kid." I think I was thirteen. Right around the time when all the girls get mean and the hormones were going bazerko. Anyway, that advice always stuck with me. It didn't make me a bad ass overnight. I had to learn how to not take any shit. I also had to learn how to be kind to myself when I felt like I had had a healthy dose of shit sandwich. My grandmother’s advice came in handy later [the Superbowl commercial]. However, I do have one last piece of advice I'd like to share. This gem came from my mother. (Love you, Sharon) She told me "if you lie with dogs, you get fleas." Meaning, you are the company you keep. So choose wisely. You don't need to have a lot of friends. If you have one true friend, you're lucky.
