The excitement of a potential job,
Reading through the script, making choices and preparing a character,
Running lines over and over, until you have it in your body,
Picking out the right clothes to convey the part,
Signing in and waiting in the lobby with twenty other guys that look JUST like you,
The awkward small talk in the casting office–then you slate your name and the scene begins and before you know it, your done...
Walk out feeling confident, you gave it your all and rocked it out!
Then, you wait. You try to forget about it. Every time it pops into your head you think, "Wouldn't that be awesome?"
But you let it go, and wait for the next audition.
Showing posts with label actors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label actors. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Auditions
Similar to going to the doctors office,
Auditions can be a painful experience-
The waiting room anxiety,
The fear that your going to hear something your not ready to learn about yourself,
The awkward “small talk”,
and then:
The naked vulnerability,
The only difference is that after the doctor, you leave with a lollypop!
Auditions can be a painful experience-
The waiting room anxiety,
The fear that your going to hear something your not ready to learn about yourself,
The awkward “small talk”,
and then:
The naked vulnerability,
The only difference is that after the doctor, you leave with a lollypop!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Wake Up Call
The alarm went off too early this morning.
Even after coffee and a shower, I'm struggling to peel my eyes open.
Three hours of improv in a grape costume?
It's going to be a loooong day!
#Gig #ActorsLife
Even after coffee and a shower, I'm struggling to peel my eyes open.
Three hours of improv in a grape costume?
It's going to be a loooong day!
#Gig #ActorsLife
Friday, March 16, 2012
An Actors Life...
Urgent phone call and six follow up emails.
Last minute audition to be a series regular in a huge new pilot!
Note from casting:
"Actors MUST have all ten pages of dialogue memorized. MUST not be flamboyant. Make strong choices! Actor MUST be a strong singer. Just be you! Be unique. Just have fun!"
That's my favorite part of this industry...
My entire day gets completely postponed for an opportunity to be PEFECT!
...along with the forty-five other guys that are "perfect" for this role.
Well, one of us has to get the part, maybe this one will be me!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I Love Auditions!
I don't care who you are, or how long you've been an actor in the entertainment industry-
You will never get used to the crazy world of auditioning.
Don't get me wrong, I love auditions!
An audition is an opportunity to work as an actor.
It means that you're doing something right...
You have "something" that "someone" in this business might want to use-
I'm thankful for every audition I get called in for!
Nevertheless, there are always those brilliant moments when an audition feels more like torture, than a fun, creative, potential job...
Today, I had the pleasure of auditioning for a small, but juicy role in an independent movie with a great script and some amazing talent attached.
The scene that I was auditioning for was extremely intense. The character I was playing gets shot in the leg, while on a wild chase through the woods. At the height of the drama, the character realizes that his allies might just end up switching alliances and turn the gun on him instead of saving him.
Of course the professional that I am- I spent a lot of time working on the scene. Because this was a big chase scene, with bullets flying through the air and a lot of over the top dialogue leading up to my character getting shot in the leg, I wanted to make sure that my audition would be honest and dramatic, without being cheesy...
I arrived in Santa Monica, only to realize, that the audition was being held in a makeshift "office" / living room in a 1960's apartment complex.
Now, this is not some random, shady casting director, that's going to ask me to take off my clothes on camera- This is a major casting director in the film industry-
So I was shocked, when I signed in, and was asked to, "keep the yelling down, because this room echos..."
Wasn't I auditioning for the crazy, gun happy maniac, who (according to the script) was yelling like a mad man?
If that wasn't strange enough, I start my audition, and because I've been asked not to yell, I'm making the "choice" to keep the dialogue extremely intense and intimate- Only to hear the casting directors iPhone ring during my line, "I think I'm gonna die if you leave me here..."
Oh, the good times!
As if it weren't difficult enough to pretend that I'm in the middle of the woods, with a gunshot wound, being chased down a hill, while sitting in a living room in sunny Santa Monica with a casting director sitting behind a folding table reading every other line in the script-
Now I have to compete with an iPhone?
God, auditions are a blast!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
So You Want to be a "Somebody?"
“Everybody that have money, ya know, just can’t open up a business and call it a day… You have to plant seeds and let it grow…”
Wiser words have never been uttered, at least not on reality television! Thanks to the ultra eccentric and super FabUless, style guru Dwight Eubanks from the “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” In regard to several of the reality divas “childhood dreams” come true (only because they have excessive amounts of their husband and or “Big Papa’s" money) and now a cable network show encouraging them to play dress up and pretend they had any other fantasy beside being rich and famous however they could- most of the women on the show, by marring an NBA or NFL players and spending all of their hard earned cash.
Originally the idea of this show was a fun slice into the elite women of Orange County… Now however, and in the grand tradition of Reality TV (already made celebrities included) these shows serve as a launch pad- off into a world of celebrity that we watch and laugh, not because the subject is so talented an artist or gifted in an area of expertise… Mainly, they are so desperate to have their name be known, that they would do and say anything that garners attention (with the exception of actually being exceptional at ANYTHING else.)
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate shows like “Top Chef”, “Project Runway”, and “Top Design” for the simple fact that almost always, everyone competing has talent and has worked at making their dream happen.
The women on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” are playing the part of a Hollywood star, and have nothing to back it up. They parade around in designer gowns, raunchy fake hair (Kim), excessive amounts of: make-up and jewelry and describe themselves as “Classy” while dropping the F-bomb in every conversation. Using words like “hater” to describe someone who doesn’t share similar taste, style and support of their un-talent.
I have two very dear friends, both of whom are from Atlanta. I would describe both as smart, strong, talented, graceful and yes… classy. I don’t think they have ever acted or behaved like these “elite” women on the show. Moreover, they both left Atlanta to pursue their goals and dreams… Both now have successful careers as artists. They made it without a husband, without any money and not because they wore designer gowns and went to “star-studded” celebrity fundraisers to “network…”
Two of the women on the show in particular have sparked my interest: Kim and Sheree. Kim, a separated mother of two has always wanted to be a country singer. Just don’t ask her to sing… because she can’t. Not that you can’t make it as a singer just for that small detail, many famous singers (some with Grammys) can’t sing too… The difference is they ALL tried. Kim sees no need to listen to a voice coach about technique… “That won’t matter when I’m in the booth…” It’s sad really, because she has fallen victim to the idea that you don’t have to have passion, talent or determination… just money. True, money will aid in looking the part and put you on a map but it sure as hell won’t keep you there.
Then there is Sheree, a would be fashion designer, who doesn’t sketch her own work, can’t sew and holds a viewing party for her new collection- minus the collection… None of the clothes were tailored to her satisfaction, which begs the question… Why? Maybe because the only contribution you made to “your” collection, was deciding whom to invite to this momentous event where even you decided to wear another designer’s gown- which speaks volumes for your work! At best, you are the most put together gal on the show, and could maybe be a stylist… Maybe!
So you want to be a “somebody?” I get it… I do. You have a dream or goal and believe it is your destiny to fulfill it? You have a special gift or talent that keeps you up at night hoping and praying that you’ll have a chance to achieve it. Or at least die trying…
But I ask:
What about hard work? What about taking classes to develop your craft and passion? What about eating Top Roman everyday for a year because that was all you could afford? What about crying in the stock room at your day job, because you’re so tired and still have to work four more hours before running to an audition? What about having only two days to come up with the $200.oo you’re shy on next months rent?
I know not every aspiring artist has had to work as hard, endure the same struggles or face the same obstacles. I also believe that there is no “right” way to accomplish any goal or dream.
However, I maintain that every single actor, dancer, musician, writer, director, painter, and designer… has shared in the dedication, hard work, rejection, and baby steps toward taking their passion from a childhood dream to a reality… Instead of sitting around praying for a reality TV show to come along and suddenly make them something they’re not! No amount of money in the world can give you talent… Money only offers the façade…
Please take note of the picture to the left for an example of the facade... Sheree to the left and Kim (fake hair and all...) to the right. Kim you can try to dress up like Dolly Parton... but you'll never have her class, talent or hair! This picture is courtesy of a fan photog and the world wide web.
Wiser words have never been uttered, at least not on reality television! Thanks to the ultra eccentric and super FabUless, style guru Dwight Eubanks from the “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” In regard to several of the reality divas “childhood dreams” come true (only because they have excessive amounts of their husband and or “Big Papa’s" money) and now a cable network show encouraging them to play dress up and pretend they had any other fantasy beside being rich and famous however they could- most of the women on the show, by marring an NBA or NFL players and spending all of their hard earned cash.
Originally the idea of this show was a fun slice into the elite women of Orange County… Now however, and in the grand tradition of Reality TV (already made celebrities included) these shows serve as a launch pad- off into a world of celebrity that we watch and laugh, not because the subject is so talented an artist or gifted in an area of expertise… Mainly, they are so desperate to have their name be known, that they would do and say anything that garners attention (with the exception of actually being exceptional at ANYTHING else.)
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate shows like “Top Chef”, “Project Runway”, and “Top Design” for the simple fact that almost always, everyone competing has talent and has worked at making their dream happen.
The women on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” are playing the part of a Hollywood star, and have nothing to back it up. They parade around in designer gowns, raunchy fake hair (Kim), excessive amounts of: make-up and jewelry and describe themselves as “Classy” while dropping the F-bomb in every conversation. Using words like “hater” to describe someone who doesn’t share similar taste, style and support of their un-talent.
I have two very dear friends, both of whom are from Atlanta. I would describe both as smart, strong, talented, graceful and yes… classy. I don’t think they have ever acted or behaved like these “elite” women on the show. Moreover, they both left Atlanta to pursue their goals and dreams… Both now have successful careers as artists. They made it without a husband, without any money and not because they wore designer gowns and went to “star-studded” celebrity fundraisers to “network…”
Two of the women on the show in particular have sparked my interest: Kim and Sheree. Kim, a separated mother of two has always wanted to be a country singer. Just don’t ask her to sing… because she can’t. Not that you can’t make it as a singer just for that small detail, many famous singers (some with Grammys) can’t sing too… The difference is they ALL tried. Kim sees no need to listen to a voice coach about technique… “That won’t matter when I’m in the booth…” It’s sad really, because she has fallen victim to the idea that you don’t have to have passion, talent or determination… just money. True, money will aid in looking the part and put you on a map but it sure as hell won’t keep you there.
Then there is Sheree, a would be fashion designer, who doesn’t sketch her own work, can’t sew and holds a viewing party for her new collection- minus the collection… None of the clothes were tailored to her satisfaction, which begs the question… Why? Maybe because the only contribution you made to “your” collection, was deciding whom to invite to this momentous event where even you decided to wear another designer’s gown- which speaks volumes for your work! At best, you are the most put together gal on the show, and could maybe be a stylist… Maybe!
So you want to be a “somebody?” I get it… I do. You have a dream or goal and believe it is your destiny to fulfill it? You have a special gift or talent that keeps you up at night hoping and praying that you’ll have a chance to achieve it. Or at least die trying…
But I ask:
What about hard work? What about taking classes to develop your craft and passion? What about eating Top Roman everyday for a year because that was all you could afford? What about crying in the stock room at your day job, because you’re so tired and still have to work four more hours before running to an audition? What about having only two days to come up with the $200.oo you’re shy on next months rent?
I know not every aspiring artist has had to work as hard, endure the same struggles or face the same obstacles. I also believe that there is no “right” way to accomplish any goal or dream.
However, I maintain that every single actor, dancer, musician, writer, director, painter, and designer… has shared in the dedication, hard work, rejection, and baby steps toward taking their passion from a childhood dream to a reality… Instead of sitting around praying for a reality TV show to come along and suddenly make them something they’re not! No amount of money in the world can give you talent… Money only offers the façade…
Please take note of the picture to the left for an example of the facade... Sheree to the left and Kim (fake hair and all...) to the right. Kim you can try to dress up like Dolly Parton... but you'll never have her class, talent or hair! This picture is courtesy of a fan photog and the world wide web.
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