Audition #3- On Camera

     I mentioned that there was another type of audition in my previous post, "on camera" is the best way to describe it. Basically, you are put into a room with the casting director(s) and told to act something pit according to the job you are auditioning for. There may be one other person there as an assistant or camera operator, but other than that its just you and the auditor.
     These auditions are rather sketchy because you never know what going to happen, its not like a cold read where you're given something to prepare with, in this audition, you're placed on a room with little to no preparation. I find that these auditions are far more common than monologue or cold read.

Auditions- Cold Reads

Sorry for not posting yesterday, I actually had an audition; which reminded me that there is another type of audition that I didn't think was all too important. I don't know what they're called, but I will be making another post about this type soon.
     So, cold reads. I love these types of auditions. You are given a section or monologue of the script. It's not like the other type of monologue, this one you have to learn on the spot and present in less than thirty minutes. If you make a mistake, its not so bad because you havn't made it a habit.
     Also, these types of auditions really test the actor. If you mess up or didn't memorize the given script, you HAVE to improvise because giving up half way and saying you don't remember is NOT and option. It tests your memorization and improvisation, if the need arises.
     I also notice that I personally am in a lighter mood in these types of auditions. I feel a lot more calm and talkitive. Being talkative in an audition is very important... I think I might make a post about audition educate. Anyway, cold reads make me so much more comfortable than any other audition. It's like a test that I feel really confident about and usually end up doing well on. Monologue auditions are like Trig tests that I feel confident about but end up failing on worse than Lebron.

Auditions- You Love 'em, You Hate 'em Even More

I've never liked auditions, if my agent could just call me up and say that I've gotten a job, I would love it... But that's about as likely as a dog going "meow". Of course, some auditions I love; the auditors are kind and relaxing, the material is easy and I feel relatively comfortable. Most auditions I go to consist of me waiting in a cold room with clammy hands, looking around at the other people with a fake smile on my face and trying not to peel my skin off.
       There are two types of auditions, Monlologue auditions are probably the bane of my existance, and cold-read which I love more than balloons. Both of these auditions types are father lengthy to describe, so I'm going to make two posts describing both. I don't usually plan ahead when I make my posts, but I thought it would be cool if people knew the differences between auditions and just how difficult some can be.

Acting- The Looks

I think of casting directors and agents as girls. Girls don't like seeing pimple faces or fat Joes, nor do they like broken nails or skinny Petes. When I walk into an audition, I know in the back of my mind that there is a great chance of me not getting the part just because of my blemishes. It doesn't matter how well I act, or how friendly I am, if the people I'm auditioning for don't want to bother putting make up on me, or don't want to photoshop my face, they simply won't hire me.

          Now, I only recently found out what my trigger is, and only certain ointments work on my face for so long before they somehow stop working, so for me, its kinda hard getting work. Its not easy, but its the truth. If you don't have the look that people are looking for, its going to be harder and harder for you to get work.

Memories- Junior Year

          I know I should probably save this for a Throwback Thursday, but I just suddenly got the urge to actually blog for the fun of it. I began thinking of my Junior year. As my classmates know, our Junior year at school was the year that we performed the most. From the 9-11 skit, all the way to the Little Mermaid, we went through a lot. A lot of good times, a lot of fun, and also a little bit of wanting to tear each other's throats out. I will probably never forget my Junior year because it was just so fun and so different. I want to thank my classmates for making it such a good year.
          By the looks of things, its not over yet, we have done everything we did last year, so I wouldn't be surprised if we were asked to do another play at the end of the year. If not, we always have FACCS!

Goodnight, everybody.

The Business- Some People...

          I remember that I once went on an audition for Nike. The casting director was a short, chubby man who seemed to be no younger than 38. I did as he asked with a calm demeanor, I went through all the different motions and acts that he wanted and I thought that I had done great. When the audition was done and he had gotten all the footage he needed, he handed me my headshot and resume back. This had never happened to me before and I had no clue what was going on, none of the other boys that left the audition room had their papers with them. It was then that the man smiled at me and said, "Here, if you'd rather recycle."
          If you didn't catch it, the man was telling me that he was just going to throw my papers out and not even consider me for the job. This is a common occurrence to some actors, luckily, that was the first-and hopefully only-time that has ever happened to me. i have heard stories of people walking into the audition room with a smile on their face and the best attitude ever, they give the casting director their papers and walk to the stage. When they are on the stage,. they see the director look at the headshot and resume, look at them, and then throw their papers out before the actor even had a chance.
          As an actor, you have to deal with people. You have to deal with some people in the waiting room that want you to fail and will therefore say anything to try to discourage you. If that wasn't bad enough, sometimes you have to deal with the casting director that may be having a bad day, doesn't like you, or is just plain mean. If you're like me, you would stay calm, smile, say "Thank you" and walk out. You'd save the depression for when you get in the car.
         The thing is, when people see that you're weak, when they see you cry, when they see you get angry, they remember you. They remember your face, they remember your resume, they find out who represents you, where you live and what you had for breakfast. If you make a big enough impression, you become black listed. When you become black listed, you'd be lucky if you got a job as a janitor in a theatre or movie set.
          The Bible says turn the other cheek. And you had better.

Throwback Thursday- Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. has been in a multitude of movies including: the Iron Man series, The Avengers, Due Date, Gothika, Tropics Thunder, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and A Scanner Darkly... Just to name a few.
          Robert Downey Jr was brought into the business by his father, Robert Downey. He began at age 5. His journey has been a little more than rough. He was put away for substance abuse and came out vowing to never go near drugs again. After this, he went on to earn a Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a supporting in a series, miniseries or television film.
          From 1992 to 2011, Downey she earned an astounding 20 awards. He was nominated for an even more breath taking 57 in 1992 to 2012.
          If a male actor doesn't look up to Robert Downey Jr as inspiration, he hasn't done much research or doesn't really know all too much about the people that have fought hard to be where they are now.

Researched from Wikipedia.