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News San Diego born actress helps transgendered make transition By Emily Smith March 6, 2006 San Diego--With over 100 commercials under her belt, San Diego born actress Erica Shaffer has slowly established her face as a television screen staple. But aside from being the face of KY Jelly, Pepsid AC, and Miracle Grow, just to name a few, Shaffer moonlights on the weekends as a vocal coach for transitioning transgenders. Shaffer says she has the diverse and open community of San Diego to thank for her open mind and affinity for the transgender community.
“I didn't think twice about it. I saw it as being a market in desperate need of someone like me,” said Shaffer, who worked as a voice coach for the undergraduate actors at U of A while receiving her masters. “It's really just an acting job that they’re doing. But it's the role of a lifetime.” Shaffer says that establishing a female voice is essential in making a successful transition, “They don't want to be read,” she said, “They want to be able to live real, stealth lives as women.” While Shaffer works essentially with voices, she prides herself in bringing her acting abilities as well as her femininity into the picture. “I work a lot with movement as well as voice,” she said. “The hardest part for them is putting it all together, so they need as much advice from GG's (genetic girls) as possible.” “We laugh a lot,” she said, “and they absolutely love it. They are having so much fun with the makeup and the jewelry. Shoes, however, can be a lot harder.” Shaffer says she has a genuine compassion for her clients, which is why she makes time in a hectic Hollywood schedule full of commercial shoots, voiceovers and guest appearances to help where she can, devoting most of her weekends to appointments. “They're going through something that all of society has deemed bad,” she adds. “They're risking everything, and I really applaud that.” With the Oscar nominated film Transamerica, as well as the box office comedy Big Mama's house 2 bringing both transgenders and cross dressers to the forefront of Hollywood, Shaffer has her own opinions on the films. “Transamerica did an excellent job of relating that need to be understood,” she said, “And of course Felicity Hoffman is such a wonderful actress.” As for Big Mama's House 2, Shaffer said, “I think Mrs. Doubtfire was a little more believable.” -------------------- Emily Smith is a freelance writer. This is her first article for Vyuz. Suggested Vyuz reading... James Hartline speaks out on vice in San Diego | By Larry Knowles Donna Frye talks dirty laundry and clean water | By Larry Knowles Candye Kane finds there's bias against big boobs | By David Moye Charisma seminar falls flat, drags on | By Elisabeth Gause A look inside Imperial Beach border patrol | By Larry Knowles How to buy booze if you look underage in San Diego | By Brian Swarthmore |
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