It's been a while since I've seen these casting directors. And when I got there there was a kid that I kind of got to know from a seminar that I did a few months back. Nice to see him. I have to wonder if he was instrumental in getting me in.
Anyway.
No way I can get this spot. I already have stuff running where this would be shown and it's pretty high profile. Anonymity is the currency of commercials so, I'm done.
BUT, I did get to see an actor that I have known for 15 years. We only see each other on auditions. He makes dour seem like an upbeat word of the elated.
The man has never been happy. And all he really did was set the tone for a day's worth of neurosis for me.
Fuck you, man.
Update: Got an email this morning (March 3rd) that I was needed for a same day callback. But I'm actually out of the country, shooting and I'm not available for that. I'm available for the job but not for the callback.
Then I received a phone call from the casting office asking if I was going to make the callback, which was weird. So I called my agency and was informed that the CD had just spoken with my agent to check my availability. So, I dunno, I think I'm on avail or something. I've never been booked without making the callback, though. I have been booked from the first call but never from missing the CB.
We'll see....
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Audition 16: Voice Over Commercial
This one happened that the very last minute. Quite literally I was told that I needed to be across town within 3 hours.
And when I got there the most amazing thing happened:
The actor before me was in the room FOREVER. I mean, a long ass time. And when that happens it's either one of three things:
Friends with the CD.
Not getting the read right.
Giving the CD so many options it's just crazy great work.
I went in and, after the first take was told: "Um...that was perfect. Let's do the next one."
I was done in no time. And the CD was effusive. And she also sort of assured me that the previous guy was just...Let's just say it was door number two.
The good news is that this job would be a huge gig with many moving parts and spots.
Let's see!
And when I got there the most amazing thing happened:
The actor before me was in the room FOREVER. I mean, a long ass time. And when that happens it's either one of three things:
Friends with the CD.
Not getting the read right.
Giving the CD so many options it's just crazy great work.
I went in and, after the first take was told: "Um...that was perfect. Let's do the next one."
I was done in no time. And the CD was effusive. And she also sort of assured me that the previous guy was just...Let's just say it was door number two.
The good news is that this job would be a huge gig with many moving parts and spots.
Let's see!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Audition 15: Commercial (Updated)
The character was supposed to be kind of dumpy, that's how it was described. So I didn't shave. When I got there it was obvious that shaving would have been the right thing to do. Oh well, I'm not gonna seat that. Not when I can sweat the remarkably inappropriate ad lib I tossed in at the end of the audition. A nice double entendre that wasn't meant that way in the least. But, still, man, know your audience. I think there's a good chance I'll get called back on this one.
2/24: Sure enough. Callback tomorrow. No surprise. I'm gonna shave this time.
That went fine. No big shakes. Nice to be called back with all those heavy hitters, though. When you see all the a-listers called back, you know you are doing something right. However, there were a shitload called back, so it's not like it's a 1/5 shot. More like 1/40 shot.
They didn't cream over me. They didn't really give me much of anything as far as notes went. However, I did exactly what they wanted from the go. So, I think I was an agency choice and not a director choice.
Ah, well. Next.
2/24: Sure enough. Callback tomorrow. No surprise. I'm gonna shave this time.
That went fine. No big shakes. Nice to be called back with all those heavy hitters, though. When you see all the a-listers called back, you know you are doing something right. However, there were a shitload called back, so it's not like it's a 1/5 shot. More like 1/40 shot.
They didn't cream over me. They didn't really give me much of anything as far as notes went. However, I did exactly what they wanted from the go. So, I think I was an agency choice and not a director choice.
Ah, well. Next.
Audition 14: Radio Commercial
This one was a lot more fun. Over at my favorite VO casting office, I got to read with three other guys, one of them was in the very first tv job I did 20 years ago.
I had a blast with it and the feedback was perfect. Odds are always good at this place because they only bring in a few people for each job.
I had a blast with it and the feedback was perfect. Odds are always good at this place because they only bring in a few people for each job.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Audition 13: Radio Commercial
This one was a little more annoying inasmuch as I felt like I had something to prove. I know the CD and he hasn't brought me in for about 20 years. Then we became friendly and I find myself in his studio. The list of other actors coming in was daunting. Some were real big pros and others were guys that I have known in various degrees over the last 20 years. I was surprised to see some of them on the list.
Anyway.
I did my take. I got adjustments. Did it again. More adjustments.
I'm pretty sure it didn't get submitted to agency. I don't think he liked what I did.
Sigh...
Anyway.
I did my take. I got adjustments. Did it again. More adjustments.
I'm pretty sure it didn't get submitted to agency. I don't think he liked what I did.
Sigh...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Audition 12: TV Show
It's a kids show. For Nickelodeon. Which means "broad". Which is great. I love to play that shit.
I had to play a character pretending to be a different character. Like a puppet.
I made a strong choice. The CD's adjustment basically negated that and made it "real". Which makes no sense. But I did it. And I was funny both times.
I had to play a character pretending to be a different character. Like a puppet.
I made a strong choice. The CD's adjustment basically negated that and made it "real". Which makes no sense. But I did it. And I was funny both times.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Audition 11: Commercial
Simple, easy, mainly reaction stuff. I'm perfect for it even though I don't even own the clothes that would be right for the character.
The coolest thing about it is, remember that movie audition from last week? This one.
Yeah. I haven't heard about it but that CD was a guy I hadn't seen in ages. And then who's name do I see on the call sheet for today's audition?
Yep. Him.
So, that feature audition paid off in another audition.
Where I did just fine.
Getting a little nervous, though. They say booking averages are 1/25. I'm almost halfway there and I'm not getting a nibble.
That's a weird calculus to use, however, inasmuch as I'm lumping all platforms together.
Still.
The coolest thing about it is, remember that movie audition from last week? This one.
Yeah. I haven't heard about it but that CD was a guy I hadn't seen in ages. And then who's name do I see on the call sheet for today's audition?
Yep. Him.
So, that feature audition paid off in another audition.
Where I did just fine.
Getting a little nervous, though. They say booking averages are 1/25. I'm almost halfway there and I'm not getting a nibble.
That's a weird calculus to use, however, inasmuch as I'm lumping all platforms together.
Still.
Audition 10: Radio Campaign
I read the copy this morning even though it was sent to me last night. I wanted to be fresh, but not tooooooo fresh. Just a dollop of knowledge, a few adlibs to get me in to the pieces.
I kept dropping my plurals for some reason. And I had to punch in a few times. But we wanted to get the right takes. After all, this is to be voice of a major corporation. It's a big deal.
Still, I had no nerves, which is great and odd for me.
My pacing was just right. My homework served me well, I knew where I was, who I was talking to....It needed to be conversational and it was.
I feel great about it.
I kept dropping my plurals for some reason. And I had to punch in a few times. But we wanted to get the right takes. After all, this is to be voice of a major corporation. It's a big deal.
Still, I had no nerves, which is great and odd for me.
My pacing was just right. My homework served me well, I knew where I was, who I was talking to....It needed to be conversational and it was.
I feel great about it.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Audition 9: The Feature
This was, I imagine, a pretty low budget affair. In the valley. The casting office is in, of all things, a strip mall. Really really really low rent.
For some reason, even though we are reading 3 lines, it was taking 10-20 minutes per person. Except for me, of course. But, hang on.
So, one bitter actor after another, one deluded weirdo and then an angry corpulent bastard, file in. In fact, the only one who wasn't that way was the first guy I saw when I walked in. He and I have known each other for a while so we were able to chit chat.
Now, I hate actors. A lot. These guys didn't help matters.
When I went in, I made a joke or two, it's my room, I was comfortable. Nothing cheesy, just being me. Not really a nervous release, either, just having fun.
The director seems to be a young moron, more interested in cutaway reaction shots than performances. I gave him a couple of those. Then when I had to actually "act" I noticed very distinct chuckles of approval coming from the casting director. Maybe the director as well.
I don't know. I don't think they want an actor for this role. I think they want a character. So goeth the way of contemporary filmmaking.
I think I'm busy when this shoots anyway.
For some reason, even though we are reading 3 lines, it was taking 10-20 minutes per person. Except for me, of course. But, hang on.
So, one bitter actor after another, one deluded weirdo and then an angry corpulent bastard, file in. In fact, the only one who wasn't that way was the first guy I saw when I walked in. He and I have known each other for a while so we were able to chit chat.
Now, I hate actors. A lot. These guys didn't help matters.
When I went in, I made a joke or two, it's my room, I was comfortable. Nothing cheesy, just being me. Not really a nervous release, either, just having fun.
The director seems to be a young moron, more interested in cutaway reaction shots than performances. I gave him a couple of those. Then when I had to actually "act" I noticed very distinct chuckles of approval coming from the casting director. Maybe the director as well.
I don't know. I don't think they want an actor for this role. I think they want a character. So goeth the way of contemporary filmmaking.
I think I'm busy when this shoots anyway.
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