I had an audition last Saturday afternoon for a short film called "The Yellowtown Monster". The sides were hilarious and I assume the rest of the script is as well. I went out for the main character, the Monster. He is 5,000 years old and is good friends with Bigfoot and Loch Ness etc. He sees how they are getting all of the fame and subsequent success in life and has become very jealous. He decides to take a stab at Hollywood from what I can tell.
The audition felt really great. There were a lot of people in the room and I got a lot of laughs from the people on the other side of the table - which is always nice. I would say a line/monologue one way and I'd receive positive feedback and then receive an adjustment. "Excellent Phillip! Now for this next take, instead of saying it like that....try it like..." And that's what I did.
I heard about this audition from a friend that I had cast in a previous production I was in. It's always good to have friends like that!
I read on someones facebook wall the other day that when you stop focusing on getting auditions and start focusing on building relationships, that is when your career gets a lift. I'd have to agree with that idea. Instead of having a mindset of "what have you done for me lately?", it is a lot better for you/friends/the world if you think more along the lines of "I'm going to do this for you and not expect anything in return". I suppose many of the world's great philosophers, religious icons and leaders of industry have been saying and thinking the same thing all along. Act because you want to act. Audition because you love to audition. Create because you need to create in order to survive.
Showing posts with label auditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auditions. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Onion Callback with the director
Well, that was fun! Just came back from the offices for The Onion. This was call backs for the moviegoer role that I blogged about a few entries ago. I also received a new pair of sides to work on. The new ones were particularly hilarious. The idea is that google, in a tremendous display of power has messed with gmail rendering is useless and toying with google calendar etc. Just the thought of google shutting down paralyzes me with fear. I am not joking. The role of office worker was a "man on the street" blurb. It was quite funny.
Sidenote: do you even know anyone who doesn't have a gmail account? The only person I know who still uses an AOL account is my Dad, but in his defense it's tied to a business and he has had it since 1997 or so. He also has the same username on gmail that he uses often so I suppose it doesn't really count.
Just last week, a real estate client of mine gave me her email account for getting in touch during the day. It was a hotmail account. Gross. Perhaps mindspring has some novelty to it....but hotmail? That just seems cheap to me.
The call back went very well, I did each line twice and they gave me adjustments between each take, and I feel as if I took them well and nailed the takes. You can never tell, of course...but they do seem to bring me back often. So it's just a question of me matching what they need in a performance.
Hotmail? Ew.
Sidenote: do you even know anyone who doesn't have a gmail account? The only person I know who still uses an AOL account is my Dad, but in his defense it's tied to a business and he has had it since 1997 or so. He also has the same username on gmail that he uses often so I suppose it doesn't really count.
Just last week, a real estate client of mine gave me her email account for getting in touch during the day. It was a hotmail account. Gross. Perhaps mindspring has some novelty to it....but hotmail? That just seems cheap to me.
The call back went very well, I did each line twice and they gave me adjustments between each take, and I feel as if I took them well and nailed the takes. You can never tell, of course...but they do seem to bring me back often. So it's just a question of me matching what they need in a performance.
Hotmail? Ew.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
An Actors Phobia: Getting "Medusa'd" by the CD
I was told in college that when I audition I should never make eye contact with the people assessing me. Since this was my first time taking any kind of theatrical class and I was an impressionable 19 year old, I believed it. I also carried this nasty habit with me through graduation and I finally rid myself of it about a year ago.
Who was the first person to make this "rule"? This falsehood is accepted by so many people in show business, usually the people on my side of the lens. People are so averse to looking a CD in the eye that I think they are afraid of being turned into stone, or as I call it.... "getting Medusa'd".
It's bullshit. Complete and utter lies. Acting (and admittedly I'm painting with a broad brush here) is about making a connection. You either make a connection with your scene partner, or you make a connection with the people viewing your work. You want them to feel with you and, in the lamest way possible.......buy that Hyundai*.
It's impossible to make a connection with someone if you are staring at something. It doesn't matter if it's the most specific and tiniest crack on the wall, no one buys it. No one will believe your dead mannequin eyes. No one. Make is easier on yourself and make a connection with a sentient being, and guess what....there's one standing right next to the camera.
My acting coach told the class something yesterday that I thought was so wise. "The whole thing [acting] is phony, they just keep calling it the truth." When you talk to someone in real life, do you stare off into space? Nope, of course not. You look them in the eye and speak like a human being.
Do yourself a favor and be an actual human being when you audition.
*Sorry Jeff Bridges, nothing personal.
Who was the first person to make this "rule"? This falsehood is accepted by so many people in show business, usually the people on my side of the lens. People are so averse to looking a CD in the eye that I think they are afraid of being turned into stone, or as I call it.... "getting Medusa'd".
It's bullshit. Complete and utter lies. Acting (and admittedly I'm painting with a broad brush here) is about making a connection. You either make a connection with your scene partner, or you make a connection with the people viewing your work. You want them to feel with you and, in the lamest way possible.......buy that Hyundai*.
It's impossible to make a connection with someone if you are staring at something. It doesn't matter if it's the most specific and tiniest crack on the wall, no one buys it. No one will believe your dead mannequin eyes. No one. Make is easier on yourself and make a connection with a sentient being, and guess what....there's one standing right next to the camera.
My acting coach told the class something yesterday that I thought was so wise. "The whole thing [acting] is phony, they just keep calling it the truth." When you talk to someone in real life, do you stare off into space? Nope, of course not. You look them in the eye and speak like a human being.
Do yourself a favor and be an actual human being when you audition.
*Sorry Jeff Bridges, nothing personal.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Onion Audition and "Call of Duty" SNAFU
I enjoyed auditioning for the onion this morning. Since I was cast in episode 10 of the new show "Onion Sports Dome" I detect an elevated amount of friendliness over there coming my way. I met their needs and now they are even nicer to me...which is......nice? Yes, it's nice. Anyway, I was there to read for an Internet webisode bit, and after my first take the CD gave me an adjustment. I of course, being a consummate professional, took said adjustment. He laughed. It was.....nice.
"Great Phillip! Let me get something else for you to read......I'm not sure what yet."
"OK, I'll just hang out for a bit."
And hang out I did. For about 2 minutes. I passed the time by reading the onion, of course.
He came by with two more sides for me to work on. After about 5 minutes of preparation, I went in again and nailed them both. I guess it just comes down to whether they think I look like the part. We'll see. On a very positive note, the CD said "We'll see you soon!"
So that's pretty great. They'll cast me in one of the three parts I read, or they'll bring me back soon enough. Hopefully both happen.
Additionally, as I waited for the uptown 6 train to take me to my real estate job, I noticed an advertisement for "Call of Duty". For those of you who don't know, that is a video game where you play a soldier and you shoot people and take on various missions. It's awesome. It's a great game. They do however, need to maybe tweak this campaign a bit, with the Tuscon tragedy still in the news.
Right? I'm not alone on this one, yeah?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Weekend wrapup
Filming went really well with the guys from Gut Punch. I edited down Falstaff's "sherry" monologue from Henry IV, ii and changed all references for sherry to four loko. I think that this is going to turn out really great. Here is a finished project we did as a spoof on Jersey Shore:
The Jersey Hulk from Crandall Miller on Vimeo.
After that, Mrs PhillyRay and I went over to a great friend's place for a delicious and overindulgent dinner and watched the Steeler's sick come from behind victory. Great day.
My real estate clients' deal just got approved and they are signing leases tomorrow, which is really great and I have an audition tomorrow for the Onion again. I guess they really like me over there! Good stuff these last few days. Here's to hoping this trend continues....
The Jersey Hulk from Crandall Miller on Vimeo.
After that, Mrs PhillyRay and I went over to a great friend's place for a delicious and overindulgent dinner and watched the Steeler's sick come from behind victory. Great day.
My real estate clients' deal just got approved and they are signing leases tomorrow, which is really great and I have an audition tomorrow for the Onion again. I guess they really like me over there! Good stuff these last few days. Here's to hoping this trend continues....
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Audition recap
I feel very positive about yesterday's audition.
The script was about two friends buying electronics throughout their lives. The role of "guy" is always the first to buy a certain item and the role of "friend" always buys a similar but better item second and busts his friends chops about his missive. Desktop vs laptop, HD TV vs 3D TV etc.....you get the gist. We see the friends in the 80's, 90's, present day and distant future continuing the joke. It's a funny script and I enjoyed swinging the bat on this one.
People were going in pairs. This can either be really great or really bad, as you are paired at random. I would feel extremely comfortable going in with say, my friend Mark. We did a lot of improv comedy together over the years and are great friends to this day. I would not feel comfortable going in there with just anyone.
Yesterday, I lucked out. The guy I went in with was really funny actually. His name was Dominic and we worked well together I think. The discrepancy in size was hilarious and he saw it as soon as I did and went for it. The guy came up somewhere between my elbow and shoulder. I have lightish hair and a goatee, he has dark hair and a scruffy beard. I am a bigger guy and he is trim. Our appearances were quite different obviously and it worked to our advantage.
We ran through the script twice and were allowed to improvise a bit with the text.....always a pleasure doing that. We each had a crack at "guy" and a crack at "friend". We would work well in either role too. I would either be the larger bully guy who always rags on his friends purchases, or the big dumb oaf who makes poor purchases. He would either be the weaselly insulter type or he would play the nebbish kind of role.
Callbacks are scheduled for the 28th. Please Santa, all I want for Christmas is a national commercial.
The script was about two friends buying electronics throughout their lives. The role of "guy" is always the first to buy a certain item and the role of "friend" always buys a similar but better item second and busts his friends chops about his missive. Desktop vs laptop, HD TV vs 3D TV etc.....you get the gist. We see the friends in the 80's, 90's, present day and distant future continuing the joke. It's a funny script and I enjoyed swinging the bat on this one.
People were going in pairs. This can either be really great or really bad, as you are paired at random. I would feel extremely comfortable going in with say, my friend Mark. We did a lot of improv comedy together over the years and are great friends to this day. I would not feel comfortable going in there with just anyone.
Yesterday, I lucked out. The guy I went in with was really funny actually. His name was Dominic and we worked well together I think. The discrepancy in size was hilarious and he saw it as soon as I did and went for it. The guy came up somewhere between my elbow and shoulder. I have lightish hair and a goatee, he has dark hair and a scruffy beard. I am a bigger guy and he is trim. Our appearances were quite different obviously and it worked to our advantage.
We ran through the script twice and were allowed to improvise a bit with the text.....always a pleasure doing that. We each had a crack at "guy" and a crack at "friend". We would work well in either role too. I would either be the larger bully guy who always rags on his friends purchases, or the big dumb oaf who makes poor purchases. He would either be the weaselly insulter type or he would play the nebbish kind of role.
Callbacks are scheduled for the 28th. Please Santa, all I want for Christmas is a national commercial.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Commercial Audition tomorrow! [UPDATE]
Yippy kay-yay....
I have an audition tomorrow for a national commercial. I am quite enthused. It's for a national electronics store. I am also set to audition for a brand new CD - it's going to be fun to meet some new people in the business. This shoots in LA the first week or so of January. I've never been to Lala land and I would love to check it out.
And I gotta tell ya, the description sounds a lot like me...actually it sounds like they wrote it about me. Here it is:
Friend - Loud and outspoken, but very likable. He always likes to be the center of attention and usually is. He's a jokester and likes busting peoples balls. He's the type of person that always seems to have things go his way most of the time, but he doesn't realize how lucky he is.
So yeah, that's me in a nutshell. There's no script to work on, so I assume it's either an improvisation (yay) or a cold read/quick study (double yay).
I feel really great about this audition. I just have to be me. They will love me, because that's what they want!
UPDATE: turns out.....it's not a new CD, I just momentarily forgot that this is the same CD I auditioned for for the Chobani Yogurt spot. I remember the CD laughing hysterically at my takes, when I didn't get the call back I figured they went for someone older looking. Glad they like me over there!
I have an audition tomorrow for a national commercial. I am quite enthused. It's for a national electronics store. I am also set to audition for a brand new CD - it's going to be fun to meet some new people in the business. This shoots in LA the first week or so of January. I've never been to Lala land and I would love to check it out.
And I gotta tell ya, the description sounds a lot like me...actually it sounds like they wrote it about me. Here it is:
Friend - Loud and outspoken, but very likable. He always likes to be the center of attention and usually is. He's a jokester and likes busting peoples balls. He's the type of person that always seems to have things go his way most of the time, but he doesn't realize how lucky he is.
So yeah, that's me in a nutshell. There's no script to work on, so I assume it's either an improvisation (yay) or a cold read/quick study (double yay).
I feel really great about this audition. I just have to be me. They will love me, because that's what they want!
UPDATE: turns out.....it's not a new CD, I just momentarily forgot that this is the same CD I auditioned for for the Chobani Yogurt spot. I remember the CD laughing hysterically at my takes, when I didn't get the call back I figured they went for someone older looking. Glad they like me over there!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
H&R Block Audition
There I was, at my real estate desk....feeling sorry for myself. My nose hurt from sparring the evening before and I took 1/2 of my daily dose of Lovazza (a prescription strength fish oil* (I know, I know)). Suddenly my cell told me (via a blinking red light) that I had a new e-mail.
It was my commercial agency, I had an audition for the next day. H&R Block, national usage, broadcast, Internet, the whole kit and caboodle. Big job. COOL! There were no sides sent as an attachment, just where to be, when and who to play. I was to audition for the role of "Construction Worker". The notes said "blue collar" and "casual" and "very real". The shooting dates are pretty soon, December 13th to the 15th.
So this morning, when I was getting dressed for a day of real estate work and this audition, I put on an outfit that could look blue collar, but also acceptable for RE work. I put on a light blue collar dress shirt, rolled up the sleeves and went out the door. I don't want to be one of those people with a roller bag filled with 10 changes of clothing. CD's either like you or they don't. And besides, one of my really great friends works in construction management, and every day he wears khakis, a collared shirt with a pair of boots. So, there!
When I arrived there, everyone was in Carhart coats, thick flannels etc. One guy even had on a hard hat. Ha! Oh well. It didn't say "dress like a construction worker" it said "casual". I believe I was casual.
Anyway, I can't go too into the script, but it was an improv between 2 other construction worker types and I. We just joshed back and forth about our current project and how long it would take. I felt good about my "very real" and "casual performance". There wasn't so much to do, in the ad copy, we don't have any words. There is a VO and a few characters talking about how bad we are at working construction. Basically, I just said a lot of "yes boss" and "on it, boss man" and "sure thing".
So I suppose this commercial casting is all about "the look", even more so than the usual.
We'll see, but I believe I am DUE for a little luck. :-)
*Does the idea of "prescription strength fish oil" spook you a bit? It spooks me for sure. What makes it prescription strength? Is it really pungent? The oil of many more fish than what you usually find? Or is it a high potent fish, like a mackerel? Or, is it a rare fish? Like the black sea unicorn bass? If you ever catch one of those, release it immediately, they are really really really (really) endangered.
It was my commercial agency, I had an audition for the next day. H&R Block, national usage, broadcast, Internet, the whole kit and caboodle. Big job. COOL! There were no sides sent as an attachment, just where to be, when and who to play. I was to audition for the role of "Construction Worker". The notes said "blue collar" and "casual" and "very real". The shooting dates are pretty soon, December 13th to the 15th.
So this morning, when I was getting dressed for a day of real estate work and this audition, I put on an outfit that could look blue collar, but also acceptable for RE work. I put on a light blue collar dress shirt, rolled up the sleeves and went out the door. I don't want to be one of those people with a roller bag filled with 10 changes of clothing. CD's either like you or they don't. And besides, one of my really great friends works in construction management, and every day he wears khakis, a collared shirt with a pair of boots. So, there!
When I arrived there, everyone was in Carhart coats, thick flannels etc. One guy even had on a hard hat. Ha! Oh well. It didn't say "dress like a construction worker" it said "casual". I believe I was casual.
Anyway, I can't go too into the script, but it was an improv between 2 other construction worker types and I. We just joshed back and forth about our current project and how long it would take. I felt good about my "very real" and "casual performance". There wasn't so much to do, in the ad copy, we don't have any words. There is a VO and a few characters talking about how bad we are at working construction. Basically, I just said a lot of "yes boss" and "on it, boss man" and "sure thing".
So I suppose this commercial casting is all about "the look", even more so than the usual.
We'll see, but I believe I am DUE for a little luck. :-)
*Does the idea of "prescription strength fish oil" spook you a bit? It spooks me for sure. What makes it prescription strength? Is it really pungent? The oil of many more fish than what you usually find? Or is it a high potent fish, like a mackerel? Or, is it a rare fish? Like the black sea unicorn bass? If you ever catch one of those, release it immediately, they are really really really (really) endangered.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Curly = PhillyRay's Hamlet
This is for real. I have not been this excited since I booked The Onion Sports Network gig back in September. Fresh off the interwebs, the "Three Stooges Movie" has received a greenlight after a long time of various castings, red tape etc. For a while the rumored cast consisted of: Jim Carrey, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn and Paul Giamatti (in various blends)
The Farrelly brothers are directing the piece and have said:
"The script is ready to go, and we are opening up these roles to the world right now," Peter Farrelly told me. "We'll make it with the best possible people. Our feeling is that no star is too big to audition and no matter who it is, we're going to have to see him in the role. This is not The Flinstones. You've got to be Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard, and that could be a major movie star or an unknown."
Did you read that? Are you picking up what I am putting down????? A major movie star I am not. An unknown, I am! Ha! I should also note that filming is slated to start on March 14th, which is my birthday. I believe this to be a sign. I truly do. Here is the article of which I speak.
The Farrelly brothers are directing the piece and have said:
"The script is ready to go, and we are opening up these roles to the world right now," Peter Farrelly told me. "We'll make it with the best possible people. Our feeling is that no star is too big to audition and no matter who it is, we're going to have to see him in the role. This is not The Flinstones. You've got to be Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard, and that could be a major movie star or an unknown."
Did you read that? Are you picking up what I am putting down????? A major movie star I am not. An unknown, I am! Ha! I should also note that filming is slated to start on March 14th, which is my birthday. I believe this to be a sign. I truly do. Here is the article of which I speak.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
AT&T audition today and dramatic video reenactment
This was a lot of fun, I am not sure how well I did so here is the rundown....
I arrived at the audition location and signed in, filled out a size card and had a digital picture taken. I looked at the script and the commercial went down like this:
Extreme close-up: We see a man in a dentist chair with various tubes, tools and other apparati in his mouth. His mouth is wide open and his speech is impaired. He gives distressed looks as the tools file, zing and gurgle. He looks more and more distressed until his general rage gives way to tears of joy and it is revealed that he is not in pain at all (!), but rather he was watching a movie on his smart phone on the AT&T network. The storyboard specified "offbeat is OK, but keep it natural." I saw this as a carte-blanche of sorts for my expressive face.
So we had to mimic this for the camera. I went in, slated my name, opened my mouth to the point of pain and gave the CD my most distressed and pained looks and gave way to tears of joy. Yes folks, real honest to goodness tears.
"That was excellent." The CD said..."I could really sense that you were in pain there, and then at one point it could have gone another way.....so do it again but with more tears of joy. Go."
My ducts were tapped. I couldn't bring anymore tears, it didn't matter how I breathed or for how long, they just weren't coming on the second take.
Will this matter in the end? No one knows. I'd like to think that my first take should be adequate enough for a call-back. But like my coach says "If you are what they need, they will call you. If you aren't they won't."
And that's that. But honestly, I do not envy this CD at all, because he now has to sift through hours of people doing this....
I arrived at the audition location and signed in, filled out a size card and had a digital picture taken. I looked at the script and the commercial went down like this:
Extreme close-up: We see a man in a dentist chair with various tubes, tools and other apparati in his mouth. His mouth is wide open and his speech is impaired. He gives distressed looks as the tools file, zing and gurgle. He looks more and more distressed until his general rage gives way to tears of joy and it is revealed that he is not in pain at all (!), but rather he was watching a movie on his smart phone on the AT&T network. The storyboard specified "offbeat is OK, but keep it natural." I saw this as a carte-blanche of sorts for my expressive face.
So we had to mimic this for the camera. I went in, slated my name, opened my mouth to the point of pain and gave the CD my most distressed and pained looks and gave way to tears of joy. Yes folks, real honest to goodness tears.
"That was excellent." The CD said..."I could really sense that you were in pain there, and then at one point it could have gone another way.....so do it again but with more tears of joy. Go."
My ducts were tapped. I couldn't bring anymore tears, it didn't matter how I breathed or for how long, they just weren't coming on the second take.
Will this matter in the end? No one knows. I'd like to think that my first take should be adequate enough for a call-back. But like my coach says "If you are what they need, they will call you. If you aren't they won't."
And that's that. But honestly, I do not envy this CD at all, because he now has to sift through hours of people doing this....
Monday, November 8, 2010
Audition a-la minute! [UPDATED]
Earlier today, I mentioned how my work ethic and unflappable good faith got me a commercial audition. Well, I just came back from it and I feel very good. Here is a recap.
The audition was for "Chobani" a Greek style yogurt sold here in the states. Whenever I shop and pass by the dairy section, the product catches my eye because it is very similar to my last name, Chorba. BTW, there is a Bulgarian woman who sits next to me at work; she has a working knowledge of Turkish and tells me that Chobani is Turkish for shepherd. Makes sense...anywho.
The storyboard went like this...Stephanie, a real Chobani enjoyer brings them to her work so she can enjoy them during the day time, but someone pilfers her yogurt. OH, THE HUMANITY! She launches an investigation around the workplace and questions a "large man by the copier". Guess which role I went out for.
If you guessed Stephanie, you are wrong.
Stephanie says "You look like you eat a lot of protein." I was supposed to give two reactions of the CD's choosing. We were told to first react in a positive way and say something back, almost thanking her for the compliment. Then on the other take I was supposed to be really confused and walk away. Almost as if to be like "I don't know you or what your angle is, but I am leaving" But do this only through movements etc.
I improvised my first take like this......
"Hey Phillip, you look like you eat a lot of protein."
(look up from copier, facial change from confused to delighted/confident)
"200 grams a day."
The CD howled with laughter, and then told me to take it again but not as confident, same line in a different way. This is when my acting coach's training is paying dividends. I chose to use: relationship, location and mischief. BOOM! Nailed that.
Now time for the second take.....the confused-and-walk-away-sans-words take.....
"Hey Phillip, you look like you eat a lot of protein."
(look up from copier, facial change from confused to a bit angry about this slight...take one pace away and turn again back to Stephanie for a quick "button" on the take if you will.)
She chuckled this time ever so slightly and told me it was OK, but she wanted to see me not angry "It's like you are the nice guy in the office, so you wouldn't get mad." I can do that, totally. I AM THE NICE GUY IN THE OFFICE, I thought.
This time my reaction was....look up from copier, eyes widened a bit then I pursed my lips, by bringing them in, sucked in my belly slightly, silently nodded and walked away. This whole reaction was 4 seconds long, tops.
She howled again. It feels really good to use techniques that I practice day in and day out. It feels excellent to receive a positive reaction to choices that you make during an audition. I really enjoyed auditioning for this particular CD and the office itself was clean, and finely tuned in its operation.
It is also a nice feeling when you look at the character you are auditioning for and you look exactly like it. I know its' hard to tell, but trust me it's legit. Yes, I unbuttoned my tie like the guy in the storyboard. :-)
The audition was for "Chobani" a Greek style yogurt sold here in the states. Whenever I shop and pass by the dairy section, the product catches my eye because it is very similar to my last name, Chorba. BTW, there is a Bulgarian woman who sits next to me at work; she has a working knowledge of Turkish and tells me that Chobani is Turkish for shepherd. Makes sense...anywho.
The storyboard went like this...Stephanie, a real Chobani enjoyer brings them to her work so she can enjoy them during the day time, but someone pilfers her yogurt. OH, THE HUMANITY! She launches an investigation around the workplace and questions a "large man by the copier". Guess which role I went out for.
If you guessed Stephanie, you are wrong.
Stephanie says "You look like you eat a lot of protein." I was supposed to give two reactions of the CD's choosing. We were told to first react in a positive way and say something back, almost thanking her for the compliment. Then on the other take I was supposed to be really confused and walk away. Almost as if to be like "I don't know you or what your angle is, but I am leaving" But do this only through movements etc.
I improvised my first take like this......
"Hey Phillip, you look like you eat a lot of protein."
(look up from copier, facial change from confused to delighted/confident)
"200 grams a day."
The CD howled with laughter, and then told me to take it again but not as confident, same line in a different way. This is when my acting coach's training is paying dividends. I chose to use: relationship, location and mischief. BOOM! Nailed that.
Now time for the second take.....the confused-and-walk-away-sans-words take.....
"Hey Phillip, you look like you eat a lot of protein."
(look up from copier, facial change from confused to a bit angry about this slight...take one pace away and turn again back to Stephanie for a quick "button" on the take if you will.)
She chuckled this time ever so slightly and told me it was OK, but she wanted to see me not angry "It's like you are the nice guy in the office, so you wouldn't get mad." I can do that, totally. I AM THE NICE GUY IN THE OFFICE, I thought.
This time my reaction was....look up from copier, eyes widened a bit then I pursed my lips, by bringing them in, sucked in my belly slightly, silently nodded and walked away. This whole reaction was 4 seconds long, tops.
She howled again. It feels really good to use techniques that I practice day in and day out. It feels excellent to receive a positive reaction to choices that you make during an audition. I really enjoyed auditioning for this particular CD and the office itself was clean, and finely tuned in its operation.
It is also a nice feeling when you look at the character you are auditioning for and you look exactly like it. I know its' hard to tell, but trust me it's legit. Yes, I unbuttoned my tie like the guy in the storyboard. :-)
[UPDATE: I have another audition tomorrow, for AT&T. 2 auditions in 2 days hasn't happened since.......ever?]
Friday, October 22, 2010
An Actor's Familiar Feeling: Waiting it out
So I had that audition yesterday for "Dark Fields". I can't tell how it went to tell you the truth. Which could be a bad sign. Then again, I (uncharacteristically so) felt that I did a crummy job for The Onion callback - and I landed the job. My coach's words rang true: you either match their needs or you don't. Hmm. So so true. I'm also waiting to hear the final word on that modeling job for Gold's. Oh yeah, turns out my agent spoke too soon, read the update about 3 posts ago. Hey, people make mistakes and I am not angry in any way.
So now I just have to chill out and think of other things. I've found that acting is a lot like renting apartments here in NYC. You can do everything exactly right technique wise, but if they don't "like the apartment" you aren't renting to them and if they don't "like your look or what-have-you" you aren't cast.
All that you can do is be prepared and do your best.
Loyal reader(s): what do you do to relax or to get the focus off of uncertainty? I exercise, or read a scene or work on a new monologue.
So now I just have to chill out and think of other things. I've found that acting is a lot like renting apartments here in NYC. You can do everything exactly right technique wise, but if they don't "like the apartment" you aren't renting to them and if they don't "like your look or what-have-you" you aren't cast.
All that you can do is be prepared and do your best.
Loyal reader(s): what do you do to relax or to get the focus off of uncertainty? I exercise, or read a scene or work on a new monologue.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Audition today at 5:10pm
I received the sides yesterday around 6pm and took them to class. Where am I in my process now? I'm getting there, I just have to stick to my guideposts and prepare multiple variations. Here I am about 1/4 of the way through my process to nail this audition :-)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
I'm too sexy for this blog: Right Said Fred video at the end.
[Update: Apparently my agent, (honest mistakes happen) may have spoken too soon. I am not YET cast, but the CD is in final stages of casting, and I am a "first choice"....we shall see]
Because I booked a model job. BWAHHAHAHHAHHAHA. I shit you not. It's for Gold's Gym. The gym wants to rid its image of musclehead central and make it more accessible to the average guy. To the fitness enthusiast and not a body builder. So they are having a new campaign called "Real Gym Heroes" and they liked my story of weight loss after getting attacked.
Oh yeah, maybe you don't know about that. Well here is the story that I told the casting director:
On June 16th, 2008 I was jumped in Manhattan, and the assailant broke my right elbow and fractured my right scaphoid. I also blew out my right hamstring during the altercation. My wedding day was 60 days away. As soon as I healed, and came back from my honeymoon, I decided that I was never going to let something like that happen again. I started weight training again, running and taking boxing lessons. On the night in question I was 315 pounds and stood six foot three. Today I am 245 pounds and my strength has increased dramatically. In the same day I am able to have a full bench and squat workout, run 5 miles in 45 minutes and have a full hour boxing workout including a sparring session. The gym has helped me overcome my fear of another attack. While I realize that an attack could theoretically still happen, I also know that I can knock-out a would be mugger with a swift right hook to the jaw.
I am stronger than my fears.
So as you read, last year I was 315 lbs of mostly mush. Today I am 245 of mostly muscle with a solid right hook and a punishing jab. If you had told me that I was going to book a modeling job I would have either tackled you to the ground and slapped you or thought 'Maybe its a 'before' model....ya know, like 'before' and 'after'."
Because I booked a model job. BWAHHAHAHHAHHAHA. I shit you not. It's for Gold's Gym. The gym wants to rid its image of musclehead central and make it more accessible to the average guy. To the fitness enthusiast and not a body builder. So they are having a new campaign called "Real Gym Heroes" and they liked my story of weight loss after getting attacked.
Oh yeah, maybe you don't know about that. Well here is the story that I told the casting director:
On June 16th, 2008 I was jumped in Manhattan, and the assailant broke my right elbow and fractured my right scaphoid. I also blew out my right hamstring during the altercation. My wedding day was 60 days away. As soon as I healed, and came back from my honeymoon, I decided that I was never going to let something like that happen again. I started weight training again, running and taking boxing lessons. On the night in question I was 315 pounds and stood six foot three. Today I am 245 pounds and my strength has increased dramatically. In the same day I am able to have a full bench and squat workout, run 5 miles in 45 minutes and have a full hour boxing workout including a sparring session. The gym has helped me overcome my fear of another attack. While I realize that an attack could theoretically still happen, I also know that I can knock-out a would be mugger with a swift right hook to the jaw.
I am stronger than my fears.
So as you read, last year I was 315 lbs of mostly mush. Today I am 245 of mostly muscle with a solid right hook and a punishing jab. If you had told me that I was going to book a modeling job I would have either tackled you to the ground and slapped you or thought 'Maybe its a 'before' model....ya know, like 'before' and 'after'."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
I am a bit smitten with my legit agent.
As many of my loyal reader(s) know, two weeks ago today, I booked a day player role on Comedy Central for the upcoming "Onion Sports Network". I did this through my legit agency. I love them over there. They are so kind and accessible, additionally I feel as if, and have always felt, that they "get me."
They don't just see a large white guy, they see who I really am in real life and submit me for work accordingly. Any agent can see a 6-3 245 pound large framed dude and think "Great! I can submit him for cop roles!" Not this agency, here is what they submitted me for yesterday - I think it seems like a great role that I can blow the top off of.
[CHARLIE] (late 20s-early 30s) Paul's best buddy. Jocular, funny, overbearing, seething. Ostensibly smart and lovable, but with an undercurrent of malignancy and anger. Enjoys a bit of danger, and feeds his best friend's paranoia. (LEAD/ STRONG SUPPORTING)
BUT WHAT IS THE MOVIE ABOUT, PHILLYRAY?!?!? Oh, right....
NANCY, PLEASE
Feature Film
SAG ULTRA LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT
Shoot/Start Date: 10/25
Location: NY
SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
NOTE: IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SUBMIT ACTOR'S ONLINE DEMO CLIPS ALONG WITH EACH ACTOR SUBMISSION.
SYNOPSIS: PAUL is a young, gifted, aimless PhD candidate at Yale University. He's just moved in with his competent, pragmatic girlfriend, Jen, and is struggling to complete his dissertation. There's just one snag: as Paul is unpacking his belongings, he discovers that something has been left behind - a battered old book that contains the notes he needs to complete his writing. He will have to retrieve it from his former roommate - the obstinate, casually sinister NANCY. What should be a simple errand becomes intolerably difficult, and egged on by his best friend CHARLIE, Paul soon becomes increasingly consumed with the retrieval of his book. Caught up in a web of perceived injustice, Paul's relationship and career begin to unravel, and he finds himself rushing headlong into a thresher of emotional torment and physical punishment.
They don't just see a large white guy, they see who I really am in real life and submit me for work accordingly. Any agent can see a 6-3 245 pound large framed dude and think "Great! I can submit him for cop roles!" Not this agency, here is what they submitted me for yesterday - I think it seems like a great role that I can blow the top off of.
[CHARLIE] (late 20s-early 30s) Paul's best buddy. Jocular, funny, overbearing, seething. Ostensibly smart and lovable, but with an undercurrent of malignancy and anger. Enjoys a bit of danger, and feeds his best friend's paranoia. (LEAD/ STRONG SUPPORTING)
BUT WHAT IS THE MOVIE ABOUT, PHILLYRAY?!?!? Oh, right....
NANCY, PLEASE
Feature Film
SAG ULTRA LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT
Shoot/Start Date: 10/25
Location: NY
SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
NOTE: IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SUBMIT ACTOR'S ONLINE DEMO CLIPS ALONG WITH EACH ACTOR SUBMISSION.
SYNOPSIS: PAUL is a young, gifted, aimless PhD candidate at Yale University. He's just moved in with his competent, pragmatic girlfriend, Jen, and is struggling to complete his dissertation. There's just one snag: as Paul is unpacking his belongings, he discovers that something has been left behind - a battered old book that contains the notes he needs to complete his writing. He will have to retrieve it from his former roommate - the obstinate, casually sinister NANCY. What should be a simple errand becomes intolerably difficult, and egged on by his best friend CHARLIE, Paul soon becomes increasingly consumed with the retrieval of his book. Caught up in a web of perceived injustice, Paul's relationship and career begin to unravel, and he finds himself rushing headlong into a thresher of emotional torment and physical punishment.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Audition for Guinness Beer Commercial
Whew I am spent. I just woke up from a 30+ minute power nap at my real estate desk. Actors and Actresses: stop messing around with temping, catering or whatever side job you have and get in real estate. What other job is 100% flexible, has an uncapped earning potential and allows desk naps? It's a trick question, it's only real estate.
Anyway. I worked late yeterday, until around 8pm showing apartments around Hells Kitchen, and I was thinking about the next day (which is now earlier today). What did I have today, you ask. I answer: a commercial audition for Guinness. That beer is friggen delicious.
The CD was the same one who gave me a call back for the Kraft mayonnaisse gig. My slot was 11:55am and they were recording in groups of three. The CD told us that they are casting 9 regular guys and one hero. The hero will be someone famous. The premise is that 9 out of 10 drinkers order boring beer at a bar. Are you that tenth drinker? You are indeed if you order Guinness.
"Ok guys, this will be the best audition of your whole week" said the CD "First we slate our names, then we talk about whatever, then I will film each of you one by one standing at a bar drinking a beer and waiting for your friends. Don't be interesting, just stand there, it's impossible for actors to nothing, but try. After a while just walk off camera."
The CD recognized me from the Kraft callback and asked me if I was getting tanner. I told her yes. It's funny, I've gotten a little tanner, but she probably noticed the weightloss and wasn't sure what the difference was. So the CD had us improvise back and forth and just talk with each other about whatever. My conversation with the other two actors ranged from my tan, to what the middle guy did (he taught) to what the other guy does. He doesn't have a day job and just does push-ups the whole day.
It was actually a very fun audition. The other two guys did a lot of stuff when they were up there, they looked pretty interesting to me. Which is cool, but also the opposite of what the CD specified. They would stand there, mime sipping their beers, mime burping, whistle and then mime order another beer. That was very interesting. They also stood there for 20+ seconds.
I stood there for maybe 10+ seconds with my beer in my right hand and my arms down by my pockets and stared off into space. A specific point in space, nontheless. After that time I gave a slight nod, as I would if I saw my friends enter the bar and walked off camera. YOU CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE MORE BORING THAN THAT! Here is basically what I did:
When I walked out of the audition I saw my great friend Mark. I hadn't seen Mark in I don't know how long, even though we talk via phone frequently. It's funny, when I walked into the audition holding room I thought "I wonder if Mark will be in the waiting room." When he wasn't I was a bit deflated, and when I re-entered the room after my camera time, there he was. When he was done we had a cigar. It was great to see him again. It'll be awesome when we both book the job and hang out September 30th :-)
Anyway. I worked late yeterday, until around 8pm showing apartments around Hells Kitchen, and I was thinking about the next day (which is now earlier today). What did I have today, you ask. I answer: a commercial audition for Guinness. That beer is friggen delicious.
The CD was the same one who gave me a call back for the Kraft mayonnaisse gig. My slot was 11:55am and they were recording in groups of three. The CD told us that they are casting 9 regular guys and one hero. The hero will be someone famous. The premise is that 9 out of 10 drinkers order boring beer at a bar. Are you that tenth drinker? You are indeed if you order Guinness.
"Ok guys, this will be the best audition of your whole week" said the CD "First we slate our names, then we talk about whatever, then I will film each of you one by one standing at a bar drinking a beer and waiting for your friends. Don't be interesting, just stand there, it's impossible for actors to nothing, but try. After a while just walk off camera."
The CD recognized me from the Kraft callback and asked me if I was getting tanner. I told her yes. It's funny, I've gotten a little tanner, but she probably noticed the weightloss and wasn't sure what the difference was. So the CD had us improvise back and forth and just talk with each other about whatever. My conversation with the other two actors ranged from my tan, to what the middle guy did (he taught) to what the other guy does. He doesn't have a day job and just does push-ups the whole day.
It was actually a very fun audition. The other two guys did a lot of stuff when they were up there, they looked pretty interesting to me. Which is cool, but also the opposite of what the CD specified. They would stand there, mime sipping their beers, mime burping, whistle and then mime order another beer. That was very interesting. They also stood there for 20+ seconds.
I stood there for maybe 10+ seconds with my beer in my right hand and my arms down by my pockets and stared off into space. A specific point in space, nontheless. After that time I gave a slight nod, as I would if I saw my friends enter the bar and walked off camera. YOU CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE MORE BORING THAN THAT! Here is basically what I did:
When I walked out of the audition I saw my great friend Mark. I hadn't seen Mark in I don't know how long, even though we talk via phone frequently. It's funny, when I walked into the audition holding room I thought "I wonder if Mark will be in the waiting room." When he wasn't I was a bit deflated, and when I re-entered the room after my camera time, there he was. When he was done we had a cigar. It was great to see him again. It'll be awesome when we both book the job and hang out September 30th :-)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Audition for the 39 Steps
I worked on the sides last night in acting class. Steve asked "How do you think you did?"
"This is a really hard piece." I non-answered.
"Well I hated it, and I rarely say that, but I truly did hate it. When is the audition?"
"Tomorrow at ten thirty in the morning."
Steve chuckled "OK you're pretty much fucked."
I went up again later in the night after Steve gave me some pointers and ideas/tips etc. The class laughed, Steve laughed. It was a grand ole time.
The piece requires a Scottish accent and I spent yesterday before class and last night after class and the wee hours of this morning working on said accent. I used a technique that Steve taught me. You say a line in your regular voice, repeat it in an accent, repeat it in your regular voice, then back in the accent. You get the point, here. You can't have the piece be about the accent, the piece has to be about whatever the lines are, the intentions are etc. So I did a lot of that. And I gotta tell ya, the audition went ok. Not amazingly well. But I don't think that I bombed either. I think I saw the CD crack a smile, which is promising. This theater is based in Sarasota, Florida and they put up about 16 shows a year. This would be a good group to get in with.
If I am what they need, then they will cast me. If not, they won't. It's as simple and as cold as that. That is a mantra that all thick skinned actors should repeat over and over again.
"This is a really hard piece." I non-answered.
"Well I hated it, and I rarely say that, but I truly did hate it. When is the audition?"
"Tomorrow at ten thirty in the morning."
Steve chuckled "OK you're pretty much fucked."
I went up again later in the night after Steve gave me some pointers and ideas/tips etc. The class laughed, Steve laughed. It was a grand ole time.
The piece requires a Scottish accent and I spent yesterday before class and last night after class and the wee hours of this morning working on said accent. I used a technique that Steve taught me. You say a line in your regular voice, repeat it in an accent, repeat it in your regular voice, then back in the accent. You get the point, here. You can't have the piece be about the accent, the piece has to be about whatever the lines are, the intentions are etc. So I did a lot of that. And I gotta tell ya, the audition went ok. Not amazingly well. But I don't think that I bombed either. I think I saw the CD crack a smile, which is promising. This theater is based in Sarasota, Florida and they put up about 16 shows a year. This would be a good group to get in with.
If I am what they need, then they will cast me. If not, they won't. It's as simple and as cold as that. That is a mantra that all thick skinned actors should repeat over and over again.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Callback for The Onion Sports Network
"Are you a Cleveland Browns fan?" asked the Casting Director
"No," I answered "but I am a Mets fan; I can relate."
"Ha" grunted both casting associates.
"Would you like this read with a Cleveland accent? A hard 'a' perhaps.?" I mused
"Yeah.....we're trying to avoid that." The CD said "Just slate your name."
That's how the callback started today at The Onion's corporate offices in SoHo. I went there to read for a role called "Clevelander #1" and "Clevelander #2". The idea was that Cleveland decided to move all of their professional athletes out of town and shut down their beloved and scrappy teams, the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians.
Each time I read they would say "Great! Now do it like (additional direction)." This happened a few times. I like when that happens because it accomplishes two things. One: they tell you EXACTLY what they want and two: you show them that you are able to take direction. For those who don't know, a lot of actors can not take direction. You tell them what to do, and they repeat exactly what they did before. I can not imagine how frustrating that is.
The Onion is very funny, loyal readers will know that I read it every day. Like I have mentioned before, The Onion is launching two television shows at the moment. Onion Sports Network is slated for Comedy Cental and The Onion News Network will get its air on IFC. I am really excited about those shows.
Another thing happened during the call back that got me thinking. On my initial read, I decided to play an opposite. The line was inherently sad and depressing, so I played it with a bit of a chuckle. I arbitrarily made a decision. I was told to try the line again, without doing the chuckle. "It looks like you are in on the joke." he told me. Obviously, I do understand that joke, but I was not indeed, playing it like I was "in on the joke". Understand the difference? To me there is a difference, but the CD's perception is the reality, and that is that.
Actors, have you ever made a decision when auditioning and it was misunderstood? If so, how did you bounce back? I didn't argue with the guy or be like "Oh, actually.....I was playing an opposite there." Ha! Could you imagine? Of couse that line would be delivered as snootlily as possible. I'd be out that door so fast, ha. I bounced back by following the direction and applying the best technique I possibly could.
Now, I have to show apartments to hyper privileged people in NYC and I have to work on an audition for Thursday for the "39 Steps". Fun!!!!
"No," I answered "but I am a Mets fan; I can relate."
"Ha" grunted both casting associates.
"Would you like this read with a Cleveland accent? A hard 'a' perhaps.?" I mused
"Yeah.....we're trying to avoid that." The CD said "Just slate your name."
That's how the callback started today at The Onion's corporate offices in SoHo. I went there to read for a role called "Clevelander #1" and "Clevelander #2". The idea was that Cleveland decided to move all of their professional athletes out of town and shut down their beloved and scrappy teams, the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians.
Each time I read they would say "Great! Now do it like (additional direction)." This happened a few times. I like when that happens because it accomplishes two things. One: they tell you EXACTLY what they want and two: you show them that you are able to take direction. For those who don't know, a lot of actors can not take direction. You tell them what to do, and they repeat exactly what they did before. I can not imagine how frustrating that is.
The Onion is very funny, loyal readers will know that I read it every day. Like I have mentioned before, The Onion is launching two television shows at the moment. Onion Sports Network is slated for Comedy Cental and The Onion News Network will get its air on IFC. I am really excited about those shows.
Another thing happened during the call back that got me thinking. On my initial read, I decided to play an opposite. The line was inherently sad and depressing, so I played it with a bit of a chuckle. I arbitrarily made a decision. I was told to try the line again, without doing the chuckle. "It looks like you are in on the joke." he told me. Obviously, I do understand that joke, but I was not indeed, playing it like I was "in on the joke". Understand the difference? To me there is a difference, but the CD's perception is the reality, and that is that.
Actors, have you ever made a decision when auditioning and it was misunderstood? If so, how did you bounce back? I didn't argue with the guy or be like "Oh, actually.....I was playing an opposite there." Ha! Could you imagine? Of couse that line would be delivered as snootlily as possible. I'd be out that door so fast, ha. I bounced back by following the direction and applying the best technique I possibly could.
Now, I have to show apartments to hyper privileged people in NYC and I have to work on an audition for Thursday for the "39 Steps". Fun!!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Making bold choices when auditioning. Philadelphia, and the war of attrition.
Tuesday I hopped on my beloved megabus to ride to Philly for an audition. It was my first time auditioning for this particular CD, so I was excited to meet a new face and make a good impression. They had call-backs scheduled for today, and I did not receive an invitation. That brings me to today's central point: acting is a war of attrition. A talented actor whom I worked with on "The Taking of Pelham 123" told me this:
"We can all get our fifteen minutes of fame, it just boils down to how long you can wait for it."
I see, I see. By fifteen minutes of fame, I am taking that he meant "success" rather than a flash in the pan. As I have mentioned before, I have no desire to become famous. I have no desire to have paparazzi take photos of me while I sip my coffee and bolt across Lexington Avenue. What do I desire?
What is my plan, my goal? My goal is simple, and I believe humble. I've always wanted to have a family and be the kind of father that mine was to me. My only goal is to earn enough money acting that I can give my wife and (however many progeny we bring into this world), a comfortable life. I don't mean multiple mansions and mazzeratis when they turn 17. I mean being able to cut a check for each of them to go to college and pay it in full. I mean, when my child needs braces, we get them. I mean, when my future daughter wants a dress for senior prom that costs $400 and not the $75 one, I pay for it with ease. That's what I'm talking about. That's all I want.
And I am willing to wait and pursue my dream until I achieve this goal. Look, I am 27 years old now...well 27 and a half to be pretty precise. It's too late anyway, and I can't imagine being tied to a desk. I have passed the point of no return, methinks.
Anyway, on to the actual audition. I arrived pretty early and forgot my umbrella, it was a pretty aggressive mist. Luckily I had a hearty flannel on, so it didn't look wet on camera. The script was confidential. The actors didn't receive it until they were among the next two couples to audition. Basically without getting too specific, it's about a cable installer who is really really really (I repeat) really, into his job. So when he finds out that she has to install a new customers cable he yells with excitement.
For the twenty plus minutes I waited in the holding room I could hear auditioneers screaming, and I mean screaming "WOOOOOOOOOOOO". It sounded like Ric Flair was having sex in there. Most of these guys were huge too. I am a large guy (6-3 250), so when I say that these doods were large.....trust......me.
When it was my time to go in, I asked the CD if she had been getting yelled at today. She laughed and said that she was. I asked, "Is this guy super macho and a meathead or is he just really excited about installing cable? " She told me the latter. So instead of screaming "WOOOOOOO!" like I was juiced up on roids, I let out something like this (which provided a funny contrast to my size).
I made a choice........and hopefully, while it didn't work out this time, this will make the CD remember me as bringing something different to the table. Who knows?
"We can all get our fifteen minutes of fame, it just boils down to how long you can wait for it."
I see, I see. By fifteen minutes of fame, I am taking that he meant "success" rather than a flash in the pan. As I have mentioned before, I have no desire to become famous. I have no desire to have paparazzi take photos of me while I sip my coffee and bolt across Lexington Avenue. What do I desire?
What is my plan, my goal? My goal is simple, and I believe humble. I've always wanted to have a family and be the kind of father that mine was to me. My only goal is to earn enough money acting that I can give my wife and (however many progeny we bring into this world), a comfortable life. I don't mean multiple mansions and mazzeratis when they turn 17. I mean being able to cut a check for each of them to go to college and pay it in full. I mean, when my child needs braces, we get them. I mean, when my future daughter wants a dress for senior prom that costs $400 and not the $75 one, I pay for it with ease. That's what I'm talking about. That's all I want.
And I am willing to wait and pursue my dream until I achieve this goal. Look, I am 27 years old now...well 27 and a half to be pretty precise. It's too late anyway, and I can't imagine being tied to a desk. I have passed the point of no return, methinks.
Anyway, on to the actual audition. I arrived pretty early and forgot my umbrella, it was a pretty aggressive mist. Luckily I had a hearty flannel on, so it didn't look wet on camera. The script was confidential. The actors didn't receive it until they were among the next two couples to audition. Basically without getting too specific, it's about a cable installer who is really really really (I repeat) really, into his job. So when he finds out that she has to install a new customers cable he yells with excitement.
For the twenty plus minutes I waited in the holding room I could hear auditioneers screaming, and I mean screaming "WOOOOOOOOOOOO". It sounded like Ric Flair was having sex in there. Most of these guys were huge too. I am a large guy (6-3 250), so when I say that these doods were large.....trust......me.
When it was my time to go in, I asked the CD if she had been getting yelled at today. She laughed and said that she was. I asked, "Is this guy super macho and a meathead or is he just really excited about installing cable? " She told me the latter. So instead of screaming "WOOOOOOO!" like I was juiced up on roids, I let out something like this (which provided a funny contrast to my size).
I made a choice........and hopefully, while it didn't work out this time, this will make the CD remember me as bringing something different to the table. Who knows?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Busy week so far (long entry)
At then end of my last post, I mentioned that I would write about a Philadelphia audition. While I will do that eventually, first I have to tell you about my audition on Monday for The Onion. I haven't had auditions this close to each other in quite some time, so it's hard for me to keep track. Anyway as Bob Costas says "We rewind..."
I was about to board the beloved and late arriving megabus and my bling starts to ring. I answer the call and its my legit agent telling me that I have a requested audition for The Onion. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I adore The Onion. I read the website literally every day, I have done so since I was about 16. Even on my honeymoon I had to find an internet cafe. Side note: internet cafes in Venice are predictably expensive. The Onion is in the midst of launching two television shows. The Onion Sports network is going to be on Comedy Central and The Onion News Network is going to be on IFC. This audition was for the OSN. Normally I would be elated, but this time, my heart dropped to me knees.
An old friend was getting married the next day in Kennebunkport. We needed to allow 6-7 hours for the drive up, the ceremony was at 430pm, my audition was at 1030am - that was the earliest possible time. I told them, that I sadly, could not attend. F#############ck I thought. We drove up to Kennebunkport, forgot about the lost chance and danced the night away. I had been having trouble with my blackberry's reception, so I just put it on silent and left it in the hotel room.
When we were in Portland my phone alerted me to a new message. It was my agent! My agent is usually very sweet, this time she sounded a bit perturbed.
"Phillip, its _____. I don't know where you are......but you have an audition for The Onion. Call me, 212 xxx-xxxx"
In her defense, I ALWAYS pick up the phone. Literally. On the first ring. My acting career comes first. So if I were to go MIA, well....this could definitely be a cause for concern. The time was 6pm and it was Saturday, of course the office wasn't open. Nevertheless I left a message.
"Hey it's Phillip calling! I am confirming for Monday. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but I'm up in Maine and my reception is in and out. I hope the audition is still on the table and I'll call you Monday to re-confirm. 201-xxx-xxxx"
I called at 930am Monday morning and the audition was on! Hooray, I was all set for 330pm. I got the sides and I noticed a peculiar piece of direction. Typically before the words you are supposed to say there will be directions in parentheses. It will look like this...
AGENT
(perturbed)
Phillip, its your agent. I don't know where you are......but you have an audition for The Onion. Call me, 212 555-6823!
As you can see, if you are auditioning for the role of my agent in the made for TV movie based on my life, "Banished to Extra Work: The PhillyRay Story", you would read the lines with a bit of an edge, add in some conflict and perhaps raise your voice a bit here and there. Got it? Great. Now the sides for the onion had a bizarre word in parentheses, eh not really bizarre, just uncommon. It was "inscrutable". I remembered that the word existed, but that's about it. I looked it up into google.searchmachine_internet (all one word) and typed "define inscrutable." Apparently it is synonymous with mysterious, clandestine etc.
Bingo. One of my guideposts that my sensei has taught me is mystery/secret/confidentiality. When I went in to the audition room, the CD asked me if I had any questions.
I said, "Yeah man, I do. When you say inscrutable.....you want me to say the line with an element of mystery, you want me to hold back on what I know, like I'm not telling the whole story?"
The CD's eyes lit up.
"Ya know what? I haven't seen that yet, I'd like to."
Realizing that I had potentially dug myself into a black hole of perilous acting I said "So would I! Ha."
As background, the role I was auditioning for was a professional body surfer who earns a comfortable living doing so. His line was "I just try to keep my body straight and go as far as I can go." So I endowed the character with a sense that he knows that he is making a killing at a sport that chubby 8 year olds can do, so he wants his secret to be safe. Boom, I did it, and the CD asked me to stay put because he had yet another script he'd like me to read. That also went well. After my second attempt at the second script he clapped his hands and said "Perfect! Just like that!"
Ok, let's digest. The difference between my audition and previous actors' auditions was that I looked up the word "inscrutable" and applied it to the frame work that I know. His reaction was a pleasant one when I asked if he'd like to see it in a mysterious way. To me, that means that no other actor tried that, at least successfully. Will I get cast? Who knows. Do I have a fighting chance because I made a smart decision?
Absolutely.
I was about to board the beloved and late arriving megabus and my bling starts to ring. I answer the call and its my legit agent telling me that I have a requested audition for The Onion. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I adore The Onion. I read the website literally every day, I have done so since I was about 16. Even on my honeymoon I had to find an internet cafe. Side note: internet cafes in Venice are predictably expensive. The Onion is in the midst of launching two television shows. The Onion Sports network is going to be on Comedy Central and The Onion News Network is going to be on IFC. This audition was for the OSN. Normally I would be elated, but this time, my heart dropped to me knees.
An old friend was getting married the next day in Kennebunkport. We needed to allow 6-7 hours for the drive up, the ceremony was at 430pm, my audition was at 1030am - that was the earliest possible time. I told them, that I sadly, could not attend. F#############ck I thought. We drove up to Kennebunkport, forgot about the lost chance and danced the night away. I had been having trouble with my blackberry's reception, so I just put it on silent and left it in the hotel room.
When we were in Portland my phone alerted me to a new message. It was my agent! My agent is usually very sweet, this time she sounded a bit perturbed.
"Phillip, its _____. I don't know where you are......but you have an audition for The Onion. Call me, 212 xxx-xxxx"
In her defense, I ALWAYS pick up the phone. Literally. On the first ring. My acting career comes first. So if I were to go MIA, well....this could definitely be a cause for concern. The time was 6pm and it was Saturday, of course the office wasn't open. Nevertheless I left a message.
"Hey it's Phillip calling! I am confirming for Monday. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but I'm up in Maine and my reception is in and out. I hope the audition is still on the table and I'll call you Monday to re-confirm. 201-xxx-xxxx"
I called at 930am Monday morning and the audition was on! Hooray, I was all set for 330pm. I got the sides and I noticed a peculiar piece of direction. Typically before the words you are supposed to say there will be directions in parentheses. It will look like this...
AGENT
(perturbed)
Phillip, its your agent. I don't know where you are......but you have an audition for The Onion. Call me, 212 555-6823!
As you can see, if you are auditioning for the role of my agent in the made for TV movie based on my life, "Banished to Extra Work: The PhillyRay Story", you would read the lines with a bit of an edge, add in some conflict and perhaps raise your voice a bit here and there. Got it? Great. Now the sides for the onion had a bizarre word in parentheses, eh not really bizarre, just uncommon. It was "inscrutable". I remembered that the word existed, but that's about it. I looked it up into google.searchmachine_internet (all one word) and typed "define inscrutable." Apparently it is synonymous with mysterious, clandestine etc.
Bingo. One of my guideposts that my sensei has taught me is mystery/secret/confidentiality. When I went in to the audition room, the CD asked me if I had any questions.
I said, "Yeah man, I do. When you say inscrutable.....you want me to say the line with an element of mystery, you want me to hold back on what I know, like I'm not telling the whole story?"
The CD's eyes lit up.
"Ya know what? I haven't seen that yet, I'd like to."
Realizing that I had potentially dug myself into a black hole of perilous acting I said "So would I! Ha."
As background, the role I was auditioning for was a professional body surfer who earns a comfortable living doing so. His line was "I just try to keep my body straight and go as far as I can go." So I endowed the character with a sense that he knows that he is making a killing at a sport that chubby 8 year olds can do, so he wants his secret to be safe. Boom, I did it, and the CD asked me to stay put because he had yet another script he'd like me to read. That also went well. After my second attempt at the second script he clapped his hands and said "Perfect! Just like that!"
Ok, let's digest. The difference between my audition and previous actors' auditions was that I looked up the word "inscrutable" and applied it to the frame work that I know. His reaction was a pleasant one when I asked if he'd like to see it in a mysterious way. To me, that means that no other actor tried that, at least successfully. Will I get cast? Who knows. Do I have a fighting chance because I made a smart decision?
Absolutely.
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