Donna in Hollywoodland

Audition

Today I had an audition. The Casting Director was on Highland, so it didn't take very long for me to get there from my office. I just took a late lunch, and drove over.

I was told to go in dressed as a Waitress.
So even tho I didn't have a full waitress uniform, I dressed somewhat waitress-like.

It was for Print. Some kind of medical pamphlet, only to be seen by the medical industry.
A sleep-aid medicine. And the pay would be very good.

I got there and I sat in the waiting room.
The casting assistant took my picture and resume.
I chatted with some of the other actresses, who were there for other roles.

In walked another character actress who was there to audition for the same role as me.
She was in a full-blown waitress outfit. Pink. Like she worked in an ice-cream parlor.
I swear, it looked like she had rented a costume.

The Casting Assistant asked her for her picture and resume.
"Oh, I left it in the car" she replied, "Do you need it ?"
"Yes" said the Casting Assistant "Can you go get it?"

The pink waitress lady went to her car. Then came back in and sat right back down.
The Casting Assistant said "Did you get your headshot and resume?"
"Yes", replied the pink waitress - and she handed it to the Casting Associate.

It was just a headshot.
No resume.
Not even her name at the bottom of the headshot.
Nothing.

The Casting Assistant said "This is just your headshot. Do you have a resume?"
"No" replied the pink waitress "I didn't bring one."

The Casting Assistant looked alittle annoyed.
"Okay.. can you please write your contact information on the back of the headshot, your phone number - and also your stats, height and weight."

The pink waitress made some kind of comment like she didn't want to do it.
"You want me to write on the back ?!?!"

The Casting Assistant was patient "Yes... this is just a picture. There's not even a name on it, we won't know who the picture is of. And they are going to want your contact information on there in case they want to call you."

I was finding the entire exchange very amusing.

Then another actress - obviously there to audition for a different character because she was a very skinny model type - well, she did a similar thing.
She only had a Zed card. Which is mainly used for modeling. Its a large card with modeling type pictures along with your stats.
The Casting Assistant asked for a resume.
The Model/Actress replied "I never bring a resume with me, because I only do modeling. And besides, isn't this for a print ad, so why would you need a resume? Everyone else only wants a Zed card."

The Casting Assistant looked at the Zed card and said "Ok, at least your contact information and Stats are on here."

I finally got called in to my audition.
I don't think I have ever auditioned for a Print thing before.
It was a still photographer in the room - no video camera of any kind.

He instructed me to look very tired. Like I was having a very bad day. I had no energy.
He took the photos.

Then he instructed me to look alive. Confident. I have taken my medicine, and all is right with the world.
Then he took more photos.

The camera he used had a super powerful flash.
I was nearly blind after my audition.
I don't know how all those super-models do it. Seems like you would need to wear sunglasses after having all that bright light flash at you.

Labels: acting, audition, hollywood

posted by Donna Grayson  # 5:18 PM (0) comments