I've been using the phrase "I've got good news and I've got bad news," a lot lately. Its typically in reference to an audition or a shoot conflicting with a commitment that I've made with a friend. But for now, I'll give you the run-down on the good news.
In the past week I've booked two USC student films and I was called-back to two different feature films (one shot on HD, the other 16mm).
The Roles:
Role 1*: An autistic kid. Wait, The Devil. Wait, God. This would be a totally fun role, and a good opportunity to show my range.
Role 2*: A 19-yr old computer geek who desperately wants to have sex with a 19-yr old gal that he met online. he eventually has sex with her and steals her heart, money, credit cards, and self-respect.
Both characters appear to be one thing and then get a fun twist towards the end of the script.
*Names are not included to protect the innocent.
The Auditions:
Role 1: The first audition went well, I focused on stealing lines (no looking at the script when I say my lines) and I was able to establish a good rapport with the casting table. They laughed and a had a good time.
Role 2: I found this role through LA casting. I submitted, and the producer contacted me via email and asked me to send in a video of myself pleading with the female character. Before I recorded the video, I attended an LA Casting mixer (I can't turn down free drinks and an opportunity to network). While I was there, the producer of the film picked me out of the crowd and said that he knew me by my headshot. It was both flattering and a scary reminder of just how accessible actors make themselves to the world (a pretty girl's headshot w/ her cell phone number on it is every drunken man's dream). I ended up chatting with him for the better part of the hour, and he encouraged me to go into directing… Anywhoo, after meeting him I felt encouraged, recorded the video and sent it in.
The Call-backs:
Role 1: I rehearsed the sides in my acting class. The first side (me as an autistic kid) went well, but the second side (me as the devil) was a little flat. However, the CD pointed out specific things that he liked before dismissing me, which was encouraging. I shifted travel plans in hopes of landing the part.
Role 2: The format of this audition was a dramatic improv. The director gave me a scenario and said "go", and then I did. Thankfully I'd been doing a lot of long-form dramatic improv in my acting class, so I was able to key into it all pretty quickly. As a finished, a celebratory mood flowed through the room. Before I left, the director and producer were saying things like "I think we've got a lead." "Did you see his eyes when she said… it was fantastic."
The Pudding:
The proof as they say, is in the pudding. It seems like today is a sad day for Bill Cosby .
Role 1: I never heard back about this project. People almost never tell you that you haven't been cast. It's a lot like breaking up with a person by withholding affection. Still, I feel like I established the beginnings of a relationship with the production crew, and I'm curious to see how the project turns out. It was a darned good script.
Role 2: I ended up emailing the producer that I'd met at the mixer asking him "When are you sending out info to those actors who have been called back?" That way he didn't have to outright reject me, he could just give me a date and not call. People don't like to feel cornered.
Useful Feedback
The producer went above and beyond the call of duty and was kind enough to call me directly. He explained that he and the director really enjoyed my audition, thought I was a good actor, and that he'd bring me in for the next project he was casting. He gave me a really specific note as well "The character is 19, and vulnerable. Now, I know that you can play vulnerable. But your eyes are very intense and have a lot of strength on camera. So we're going to go with someone who is actually 19." When I told my acting teacher this, and asked "So how do I go about getting dull cow eyes?" He replied "It's not about that. You can't change that. This town gets very confused by people that can't be easily fit into a box. You look like an ingénue but you are much older than your years. You just need to find that part."
Here's hoping I find that part.
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