When Kristy Carmona was asked to do anaudition for a music video, she did not think it was going to beTexas’ nationally-known newlywed, Jessica Simson.
    ”All they told us was that she was a popsinger from the south,” Carmona said, who is a business senior.
    Simpson’s most recent video, “Angels,”was taped in early June, on the roof of the State Palace Theatre inNew Orleans.
    The video features Simpson, along with26 young adults in a full orchestra behind her, performing in frontof a sunset.
    A New Orleans based talent agency, FameAgency, was responsible for booking the entire orchestra, all ofwhom are from the Louisiana area.
    ”It was nice to see a project where kidswere used,” said Anne Massey, an agent with Fame. “Lot’s of times,kids go through the audition, but then end up in the cut-outs.Here, they are in the finished product.”
    Carmona, who plays the violin in thevideo, said about 35 people auditioned for the part.
    ”They were looking for people who hadlots of musical experience,” Carmona said. “A majority of the othermusicians had stopped playing after high school.”
    Along with Carmona, Ben Childress alsoplayed violin in the video. Both violinists were found by Fame, incorrespondence to their involvement in the LSU orchestra.
    ”This was my first job with aprofessional musician,” Childress, a music education sophomore,said. “I got to see what it takes to have that as yourprofession.”
    In their 45 seconds on air, Childresssaid they went over the piece 30-40 times during the shoot.
    Carmona finds this experience will buildher musical resume. After playing the violin for twelve years, shewas excited to have such a unique opportunity present itself.
    Two weeks after the video shoot, Carmonareceived an offer to be a part of a string trio, in the backgroundof a remade “Frakenstein,” which was also filmed in New Orleans.The movie was directed by Marcus Nispel, who also directed theremake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
    Massey explained that Carmona will havemore opportunities because of her past experience with the20-year-old agency.
    ”Certainly, if we get another call formusicians, I wouldn’t hesitate to call her again,” Massey said.”She’s got her foot in the door now.”
    Both Childress and Carmona said Simpsondid not shy from her kind reputation in person.
    ”She was very down to earth and so niceto us,” Childress said. “She kept telling us thanks, just for beingthere.”
    Carmona was impressed with Simpson,making her popularity more clear.
    ”She’s very sweet and genuine,” shesaid. “I think so many people look up to her because of herconfidence and honesty in who she is.”
    For Childress, it was more about theevent itself.
    ”It was the coolest experience ever,”Childress said. “Just to have the exposure and be a part ofthis.”
    The sound produced by Childress andCarmona was replaced with that of a professional orchestra.
    ”We did have to learn the piece andactually play it,” Carmona said. “But, it was just so we would alllook the same.”
    Childress sees this as an obstacle hewould like to someday overcome.
    ”Rather than being in more videos, I’dlike to be the one actually playing the music that is really in thesong,” he said.