When I got the callback for the lead in the hilarious web series, Nanny Interviews, the director said in the email, it's down to you and one other actress. I thought, Ugh! Why did you have to tell me that?! Pressure is on! And of course I ran into the awkward situation of seeing the beautiful other actress when I arrived a bit early. Turned out to be the lovely and talented Jill Saunders, who I didn't remember at the time, but had actually known through mutual contacts years ago.
Today at my favorite (ahem) place to audition, CAZT, I had a callback, where I noticed only one other actress had been called back for the role I was auditioning for. Here we are again!
Not exactly... the casting director came out to talk to some of the actors about the wait and to answer questions, and turns out the other actress was here for her first call!
What do I do with this information? I'm interpreting, "We like you Beth, but we're not fully ready to commit." OK, me no likey that line of thinking.
I think I'll just ignore it and take my "I got this" energy in the room!
Did I break my CAZT curse of NEVER booking at that place? Stay tuned...
How nice is it when people are nice?
Sounds so simple, but if you've ever been an actor at an audition and felt unwelcomed, dismissed, or even... a little, (ahem) abused at a casting office, you know just how crappy that feels. You take the time to prepare, drive for what could be two hours in traffic (yes, one way!), normally struggle to find parking, and then usually spend some time waiting among other actors to be called in. Who wants to do all that to be given little or no direction and one take? Upsetting? Yes! Necessary? No!
At an audition yesterday I was taken by the patience, positive energy, and just plain kindness of the session directors. They took the time to make sure I understood everything and got a great take. I left thinking, wow! It should ALWAYS be like that! That's an office that can say, "We love actors!" and actually mean it! And what do you know... I had a callback today. And the clients? So nice!! The first thing the director said to me was, "We loved your audition tape. So great." What? A director who wants to give his actors a confidence boost before performing? Sure, he probably said that to everyone... and that's GREAT! Such a positive experience.
Nice.
OK, it's just plain cliche to complain about traffic in LA, but this afternoon's travels from the westside to Sherman Oaks, took an hour and 15 minutes. We're talking about an 18 mile trip. What is that??? And the fun didn't stop there! Nope, when I arrived seven minutes late to my commercial callback (Yes, I had a commercial callback! First one in... some time), the casting assistant informed me she'd just called my agent looking for me. Yikes! Is that all? No! I always have had faith that this city does indeed weed out the wackos. Not fool proof, I'm afraid. Ran into the biggest wacko I've ever had to work with minutes later at the callback. I hate to name call, but I was in a class with her and she managed to piss off every single person there. Never seen anything like it. Talk about getting thrown a curve ball right before the big moment. She approached me, of course. (Why?) I failed miserably at pretending I didn't know her. Busted. Barf. Callback went pretty well, though!
If I book it, do I have to start saying I like the valley? Nah!
Happy almost end of the week!!
