Actress Confessions

Day 900 - Audition! Scary...

I get a email from my agent - I got an audition - YAY! No script - pure improv at the session. Its a TV show... think intense thriller.

Anyways, I rush down to the audition, as always there are lots and lots of people waiting to audition.I see the casting director. Now let me back track...Remember my Day 1 of the quest to become a leading lady. If not click here.

Long story short -

Sometimes casting directors hold workshops to teach actors the do's and don't for auditioning. Upon a recommendation from my Improv teacher, I went to see Ms. G a well known Casting Director.

It was a 5 hours workshop at her casting studio on a Saturday morning. At one point in the class, we each had to present a commercial that she had given us as well as a monologue that we had brought with us.

When it was my turn, I got up in front of everyone. I finished the commercial...she looks at me and with no indication she says, "Now do your monologue..."

I finished my monologue...she looks at me again and says..."Who is your agent?"

So there I am standing in front of REAL professional actors, scared out of my mind...they have all tuned in at this point, waiting to here what my response will be...they are now all staring.

So I reply..."Ummm...I don't have one..."

She looked at me and scribbled something down on the paper in her clipboard. She then said, " Well then, we need  to change that." She tore off the piece of paper from her notepad and handed it to me. There on the page was a name and number of a well known agent/talent agency. Ms. G says, "Because your are new to the business, they would never give you the time of day...but tell them I sent you and they will take the meeting."

Continuing on with present day....

I see her - I'm auditioning for her - the same casting agent. I get all excited and I reintroduce myself. She give me a hug. Its been 900 days since I've last seen her - and now I've been called in to audition for her! WOW - How things just happen.

I'm called into meet with the directors. They give me direction and ask that I react in a terrified manner when I see my scene partner.

They give me an adjustment - less mouth... (small actions for camera) I'm shaking, I'm on the verdge of tears... I'm feeling good about this audition.

Maybe I'm just terrified of not booking?

I do the scene. Then they ask me to try it again. This time more shaking...less crying...

Then they give me an adjustment - Try it this way.

Now one peice of advice that I'll always remember that this casting agent taught me 900 days ago is if a direction asks you to do it differently. Do it differently. Meaning sometimes they ask you for something and the actor does it the same way. So I know I got to change things up.

I do.

Then they thank me for coming in and leave the audition room. Hopefully what they saw they liked and hopefully I'll hear about a call back soon!

I wave at the casting director and wish I could tell her now far I've come in 900 days. I smile a big smile as I leave...900 days - I kept trying for 900 days...maybe seeing her today is almost like a little reminder of where I've been and where I am going.

What I Learned

You never know who you are going to meet and who you are going to re-meet in the casting room!

Day 878 - Ya I didnt get it.. But...

Got called in for an audition for a coffee company commercial...yum...coffee... I love coffee.

Gotta love that my work is close to most casting studios - by audition time is set for 12:15 - perfect because I can take lunch at that time and race down to audition...

I get to the casting office, fill out my paperwork, smile for the camera as they take my picture and staple my photo to my credentials.

Wait for like 2 minutes... then I'm called into the casting room.

He says " Grab a cup hold it up and tell me how you drink you coffee...then smile."

So I do, pretty simple, hold it up - I drink my coffee with milk and a sweetener and SMILE...

Then he says, "Ok, that's it."

I say "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

He says "No, I know its really difficult acting material."

I laugh an F- YOU laugh, because I know this guy is just a camera man, but did he really have to go ahead and insult my passion?

I walk out of the room, this guy calls next - takes a girl in and by the time I reach the doors to leave she's already out the casting room.

Then I realize how many people are coming into audition based on this major cattle call and I think to myself what would make me feel better right now...

Yup...I b-line for the coffee shop next door. I tell the lady behind the counter, milk and sweetener and I'm pretty sure I sound convincing.

 

 

Day 848 - Corporate Life meets Acting Life

I get a call from a friend in the corporate world who asks me to do an impromptu video for the company. So of course I say yes because is there really another answer you give someone when they offer you a gig?

I make my way downtown and head to the studio where they are filming the shoot. I hear from the producer " So glad you were able to make it, we've been filming all day and really need some energy in here."

Well here I am and I'm ready to go. There are three people in the studio, they are asking me to answer questions, in front of a green screen and I'm feeling rejuvenated that I'm on film, back into the swing of things.

I know that this is just the beginning for 2013 and offers like these have to keep rolling in as long as I'm committed and focused.

The release for broadcast ended up on my desk today. I signed it and called in a coworker to witness the signature.

Her: "What's this she asked?"

Me: "Oh just a video I filmed for the company."

Her: "That sounds like a lot of fun....when I was young I always that I was going to be an actress."

Me: "Ya, it's great to be one."

(Laughter)

Scene.

What I Learned

Accept all possibilities.