I saw a casting notice about a month ago for a short film. The role was for a "Janeane Garafalo-type, super dry with no personality wardrobe designer." I submitted myself for the role because I thought it sounded like it would be a fun character to play. I ended up getting an audition, prepared the scene, and wrote the date and time in my planner.
CUT TO: DAY OF AUDITION
Here's a list of all other things written on my planner for that day -
-5:30 am : Take Alex to airport.
-Workout
-11 am commercial audition in Santa Monica
-Get groceries
-Return mall purchase
-Post office
-4:30 pm short film audition
-6pm-12am work
Let me tell you, by 2pm I was exhausted. And the sound of a nap before work was way more appealing than having to get ready and drive over in traffic to this short film audition. I started thinking, "You've had a long day already." "There will be more auditions." "You should sleep before you have to work til midnight." "Who cares, this short film doesn't even pay."
And THAT, that is what is stopped me and prompted me to immediately get up and go to this audition. That thought.
Is that why I do this? For the money? Absolutely not. If I made the same money acting that, let's say a teacher makes, I know I would still 100% do it. It's not about the money for me.
Auditions are hard enough to come by as it is, so every audition is nothing short of a blessing. Seriously. Did you know that for any particular role on TV, the casting office will get close to 3,000 submissions? And do you know how many people they call in for each role? 10-20. 20 is a stretch.
From 3000 to about 15. So you best be going to all your auditions AND appreciating the opportunity!!
CUT TO: AUDITION
So I made myself go to the audition, but of course they are running behind and I waited there for about an hour. I knew I absolutely had to leave by 5:30 to be at work by 6, and I told myself, "Well if you don't get seen by 5:35 you need to just leave." LUCKILY, one of my friends was there as well going in for a different role and she told casting I had to leave early if they'd please see me next. I got in the room at 5:33 and ran out the door 5:35 and made it to work on time.
CUT TO: THE NEXT DAY
I got a callback! So of course, I had go to that right? But the same thing happened, I had to be at work at 6 and they were running behind. So I went in, did my thing, and then quickly said thank you and proceeded to run out the door when the director stopped me and said, "What's your availability the week of August 12th?" At this point, it was like July 15th and I had no idea what my schedule would be like a month in advance, so I blurted out, "I don't know! Ask me August 11th!"and ran out the door.
CUT TO: THE WEEKEND
I got an email from the director saying they loved my interpretation of the character and they would like to offer me the role. COOL!
CUT TO: LAST/THIS WEEK
Making myself go to that audition was the best decision I could have made. Last week I got to go the table read at Sony Studios, a lot I had never been to before!! (A table read is when the entire cast sits, around a table and reads the script aloud) And yesterday, I was on set shooting! I went into hair and makeup, shot my scenes, and the footage looks amazing! The writer has plans to have it completed by November to submit to film festivals. Overall, I made some great network connections and am thankful for the experience.
And it's so true that work begets work, since booking the short film, I've been writing a lot more and am developing two series, one with friends, and one with Alex. And the day before I was set to shoot, I got the call that I had a producer's session for MODERN FAMILY, the DAY of the shoot. So yesterday my day consisted of waking up, driving to the Fox studio lot and auditioning for one of my absolute favorite shows, and then driving to set and shooting the short.
Getting to act all day - incredible! Did I get paid for anything I did yesterday? No, I did not. At least, not monetarily. But the experiences sure are priceless. So, say yes to the opportunities that come your way, you never know what they could blossom into.
Here's a photo of the table read at Sony!
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