Donuts & Butterflies
November 5, 2014
Donuts & Butterflies
Auditioning is rough.
Understatement of the century.
Even the most seasoned pros, those who still have to, that is, admit to getting nervous stomachs or even panic attacks right before they audition for roles.
Imagine any job interview you've ever had. Now imagine you're sitting in the same room...naked. Butt ass naked. Totally exposed, both physically and emotionally. That's sort of what auditioning is like.
Sort of.
I don't know if there's any real advice I can offer.
Be prepared.
When it comes right down to it, be prepared.
"Fill your pockets (hypothetically speaking) but not so you are weighed down by what's inside."
The above is a combination of quotes from actors Kevin McNally and Richard Warner.
Be prepared. Know who you are auditioning for and who you are auditioning as. If there are sides, know them. Be prepared. Be prepared enough so that if you are asked to improvise as your character, you can.
Don't psyche yourself out of the role. Don't be so much inside your head you lose the game before you even step out onto the field. Which is easier said than done. Trust me. I know.
Nerves have gotten the best of me on more than several occasions. I am, after all, which may come as a shock to some of you, only human.
One of the most challenging auditions I ever had was one in which I was portraying a quadriplegic. I was instructed to use only my face and nothing else. I couldn't use my hands or body to emote in the slightest. Challenging with a huge capital C! Thank GOD I'm not Italian!
Once you get past the point in which you feel like you're going to throw up, you step into a room where there are a handful of people or just one or two.
Any nerves that may have eased right before you stepped into the room come flooding back instantly as you see these people looking at you from top to bottom, scrutinizing every inch of your body.
Before you even open your mouth to speak, some of them or maybe even all of them have decided that you are or are not right for the role.
Not thing one you can do about that.
You just have to stand there as they stare, awaiting their direction.
Some will stare at your face. Some will turn away so that they can hear only your voice. Some will never look up from your resume. Some will be on the phone changing their Facebook status our liking that funny cat video that's going around.
I've had a casting director answer their phone while I was auditioning.
Some people are just rude.
You can't call them on it, either. Not if you want to work, you don't.
Sometimes you will read your prepared sides and that will be it. All you will hear is 'thank you.'
'Don't let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you' as it were.
Sometimes you are asked to improvise. This is probably when I should I suggest you have at least three interpretations of the sides ready because you may be asked to read the lines several different ways.
As I said, auditioning is akin to standing naked in front of complete strangers. Some of us are okay with that and some of us are not.
Every audition is different because it's about energy. Your energy. The energy of the people auditioning you. The energy of the world around you at the moment of your audition. All that comes into play.
The best thing to do is just be prepared, do your best and prepare for rejection.
I'll share this with you.
I auditioned about six months ago for that political thriller on Netflix that everyone binge watches. I was auditioning for the role of a detective. One scene. One episode. A page of dialogue.
I had a great audition. I read the character several different ways and the casting director seemed pleased.
As I was preparing to leave and pleasantries were exchanged, she looked into my eyes, smiled and said "You know. No one has ever gotten their first audition for..."
Womp. Womp. Wommmmp.
I was sitting in a room today with several other actors.
Actors. What a weird, neurotic species we are.
They were a pleasant group of folks but the air was thick with the scent of nerves and anxiety...and donuts.
Oh donuts.
I hear your siren's song calling me.
Nobody was touching the donuts!
Who the hell sits in a room with free Krispy Kreme donuts and doesn't eat one? I'll tell you who. Actors.
Seriously! It was like some sort of psychological experiment.
Put 5 actors in a large room with free donuts and see who breaks...who weakens...first.
Well, it took a while but someone finally gave into the call of the cruller.
That's when the excuses start. You would think actors would be able to come up with good excuses.
"I skipped breakfast and I have a doctor's appointment so I won't be eating lunch."
"I hate to see food wasted."
"Oh. Are these donuts? I've never seen one. I must try one."
Uh huh.
I'm like "I'm the old, out of shape dude. Get outta my way and give me a freaking donut!"
Just keeping it reel.
Copyright 2014
All Rights Reserved
Donuts & Butterflies
Auditioning is rough.
Understatement of the century.
Even the most seasoned pros, those who still have to, that is, admit to getting nervous stomachs or even panic attacks right before they audition for roles.
Imagine any job interview you've ever had. Now imagine you're sitting in the same room...naked. Butt ass naked. Totally exposed, both physically and emotionally. That's sort of what auditioning is like.
Sort of.
I don't know if there's any real advice I can offer.
Be prepared.
When it comes right down to it, be prepared.
"Fill your pockets (hypothetically speaking) but not so you are weighed down by what's inside."
The above is a combination of quotes from actors Kevin McNally and Richard Warner.
Be prepared. Know who you are auditioning for and who you are auditioning as. If there are sides, know them. Be prepared. Be prepared enough so that if you are asked to improvise as your character, you can.
Don't psyche yourself out of the role. Don't be so much inside your head you lose the game before you even step out onto the field. Which is easier said than done. Trust me. I know.
Nerves have gotten the best of me on more than several occasions. I am, after all, which may come as a shock to some of you, only human.
One of the most challenging auditions I ever had was one in which I was portraying a quadriplegic. I was instructed to use only my face and nothing else. I couldn't use my hands or body to emote in the slightest. Challenging with a huge capital C! Thank GOD I'm not Italian!
Once you get past the point in which you feel like you're going to throw up, you step into a room where there are a handful of people or just one or two.
Any nerves that may have eased right before you stepped into the room come flooding back instantly as you see these people looking at you from top to bottom, scrutinizing every inch of your body.
Before you even open your mouth to speak, some of them or maybe even all of them have decided that you are or are not right for the role.
Not thing one you can do about that.
You just have to stand there as they stare, awaiting their direction.
Some will stare at your face. Some will turn away so that they can hear only your voice. Some will never look up from your resume. Some will be on the phone changing their Facebook status our liking that funny cat video that's going around.
I've had a casting director answer their phone while I was auditioning.
Some people are just rude.
You can't call them on it, either. Not if you want to work, you don't.
Sometimes you will read your prepared sides and that will be it. All you will hear is 'thank you.'
'Don't let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you' as it were.
Sometimes you are asked to improvise. This is probably when I should I suggest you have at least three interpretations of the sides ready because you may be asked to read the lines several different ways.
As I said, auditioning is akin to standing naked in front of complete strangers. Some of us are okay with that and some of us are not.
Every audition is different because it's about energy. Your energy. The energy of the people auditioning you. The energy of the world around you at the moment of your audition. All that comes into play.
The best thing to do is just be prepared, do your best and prepare for rejection.
I'll share this with you.
I auditioned about six months ago for that political thriller on Netflix that everyone binge watches. I was auditioning for the role of a detective. One scene. One episode. A page of dialogue.
I had a great audition. I read the character several different ways and the casting director seemed pleased.
As I was preparing to leave and pleasantries were exchanged, she looked into my eyes, smiled and said "You know. No one has ever gotten their first audition for..."
Womp. Womp. Wommmmp.
I was sitting in a room today with several other actors.
Actors. What a weird, neurotic species we are.
They were a pleasant group of folks but the air was thick with the scent of nerves and anxiety...and donuts.
Oh donuts.
I hear your siren's song calling me.
Nobody was touching the donuts!
Who the hell sits in a room with free Krispy Kreme donuts and doesn't eat one? I'll tell you who. Actors.
Seriously! It was like some sort of psychological experiment.
Put 5 actors in a large room with free donuts and see who breaks...who weakens...first.
Well, it took a while but someone finally gave into the call of the cruller.
That's when the excuses start. You would think actors would be able to come up with good excuses.
"I skipped breakfast and I have a doctor's appointment so I won't be eating lunch."
"I hate to see food wasted."
"Oh. Are these donuts? I've never seen one. I must try one."
Uh huh.
I'm like "I'm the old, out of shape dude. Get outta my way and give me a freaking donut!"
Just keeping it reel.
Copyright 2014
All Rights Reserved
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