Callback: TLC @ SpotCasting

4 callbacks from 6 auditions. Something has gotta give. I felt great about this one, so we'll see if the old "you never can tell" rears its head. My appointment was at 10:45am, and by 11am, only one set of the three people in the scene was there. I was hoping to not have to go first this time, but I waited until 5 minutes before my call time to sign in and I was still the only guy. My scene partners were good. The director completely reconceived the spot and changed things around. He was good at explaining and clear about what he wanted, which is a huge help. After the first group, they asked me to hang around and go again with the next one. That one went even better than the first. One of my partners mentioned that I had a "Jim Carrey" quality. I'm still a little surprised by that even though I've heard it A LOT.

Lesson Learned: It's never booked until it's booked

Last night around 7pm, I got a phone call from an area code I didn't recognize. I answered and was immediately greeted by someone working wardrobe for the Cellular One spot who launched into telling me what she needed me to bring to my fitting Tuesday. Keep reading. So, I just grabbed a post-it and jotted it all down. When she was finished, I asked what time I was supposed to meet them. "Production will call you with that." No problem. Naturally, I was pumped up. This was a SAG job, meaning I'd finally be paying up my initiation fees and all that. The shoot was supposed to happen Wednesday or Thursday, which also meant I'd be scrambling to get down to SAG before the shoot. I left a voicemail with my agents at KSA last night saying I'd been contacted by wardrobe and had apparently booked the Cellular One job. I figured I'd talk to them to get the details of times and such before rearranging my schedule with my employer. My head hit the pillow with that Christmas Eve excitement.

Alicia, from KSA, called back this morning with the surprising and incredibly disappointing news that I had not, in fact, booked the job. She says this happens way too often. Wardrobe gets a list of all the people in the final running and they try to get ahead by calling everyone on the list. So, when wardrobe calls you first...50% of the time it's legit and 50% of the time it's BS. Wow. Shot down in a blaze of safety pins. Well, now I know - if it's coming from anyone but my agent or the casting director themselves, it's not booked.

Audition: TLC @ SpotCasting - AVAIL: Cellular One

I felt great about this one. It was a quick hit comedic promo for TLC. After the audition, I did a drop off for a Numb3rs episode downtown and mailed another submission.

This has been a busy week culminating in the call I got today from KSA telling me I'm on avail for the Cellular One spot. I felt like something was going to happen this week with all the callbacks. Again though, avail notices are tough and ambiguous. You don't know if it means you're just in the mix or if they're leaning toward someone else but keeping you in reserve. It's odd. Part of me would rather not know anything about it until I'm booked, but the practical side of me is happy to know that I'm on avail for statistical purposes at least.

Callback: Cellular One @ Kathy Knowles

The callbacks are rolling in, which is great. It's nice to have some momentum going. I feel like something good is on the way...perhaps several somethings. On the slight downside, I've had to make last minute schedule changes at the old day job 3 days this week. I know that's tough on my supervisor. I'm not sure how the callback actually went. It was very different from the first audition and the director didn't seem quite sure what he wanted to do in the improvised scene...of course, I was the first in my category to go in. Sometimes it pays to be the experiment and sometimes they don't even figure out what they're looking for until you're gone.

Audition: Dept. of Defense PSA @ Liz Paulson Casting

Another new office to me. The audition was tough. It required some serious emotion and was more along the lines of a theatrical audition. I found it a bit challenging to get in the proper frame of mind while sitting in the chaos of the waiting area. So, it was good to do it.

Callback: McDonalds @ Craig Colvin Casting

This was good. In the room, I got the feeling they're looking for something else. I did my thing and it's up to them.

Audition: Cellular One @ Kathy Knowles Casting

My first time into this office. The breakdown said I was to be part of a couple, dressed like we're going to see a rock band and will have to make out with each other. I went with the ripped jeans and rock t-shirt as did basically everyone else who showed up. However, the sides were about a stand-up comedy show, having nothing to do with a rock band or making out. Very strange. Despite this, the audition went fine I think. The girl I was paired up with and I had the same last name.
***My ultra cool wife would like it to be known that the rock t-shirt in question was HERS. Specifically, it's a Red Hot Chili Peppers/Lollapalooza shirt.

Funny: Chris Crosses Paths with the Karate Kid's arch nemesis

Saturday night, we were at a party hosted by one of the studios where my wife teaches Pilates. There was a guy there who I was never really introduced to, but reminded me of someone. By the end of the night, I had decided he bore an uncanny resemblance to William Zabka - mid '80's bully of such films as Karate Kid and Back to School. As we were preparing to leave, I finally walked over and said, "Does anyone ever tell you you look like 'Johnny' from Karate Kid...you know...'Finish him, Johnny!'." He says, "I am him." Why don't I keep these thoughts to myself in this town? I was so embarrassed. He was very nice about it and we had a great conversation. In fact, he recently wrote and directed a music video send-up of his role in Karate Kid. So enjoy the video of the song, "Sweep the Leg" from No More Kings.

I also started taking an improv class at Upright Citizens Brigade Saturday. I was feeling the call back to improv and launched into this one from the ground level. I'm going into it like I don't know anything..learning their method, their approach, their emphases. We'll see how it goes.

Audition: McDonald's @ Craig Colvin Casting

For those keeping track, Craig is the casting director who basically gave me my commercial break by bringing me in for the AAMCO spot and referring me to agents. I just sent some postcards last week about the JaCKPie show that I did over the holidays and basically to say Happy New Year. He was on the list. We talked a bit about football as we usually do. The audition itself went great I think...just reaction shots. On my way out, Craig said, "So, I'll see you again very soon."

Callback: Lowes @ Joe Blake Casting

Fairly quick turnaround on the callbacks. Seems like it usually takes a few days to a week to get the word. I do have to amend my previous post though. Upon reviewing my files, this makes me 3 for 4 at Joe Blake. There were a ton of people there since the callbacks were going on for about 4 different spots. They were running a bit behind, but had to get someone in who had another appointment. Luckily, I was grouped with him so we got in with our session in the middle of a different one. Once again, I think it went great. We ran it twice and they only gave one adjustment. Ah...the old wait and see game begins.

Audition: Lowes @ Joe Blake Casting

Got the email for this one while I was at Disneyland Friday. We had a blast there. It's much smaller than Disneyworld, but still a good escape. Our favorite rides were Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and the teacups. They have a spectacular show around 9pm on Tom Sawyer Island called "Phantasmic", which imagines Mickey Mouse's pleasant dream turning into a nightmare with appearances by the various villains, etc. That was a highlight of the trip as well.

I'm 2 for 2 in callbacks at Joe Blake's office. This one was playing a younger associate who's being quizzed by a co-worker. I was in the first group to go, but I still felt pretty good about it. So, we'll see.

Audition: Roundtable Pizza @ Jeff Gerrard Casting

My first audition of 2007 went well I think. There were three of us in the scene, and I was playing an executive at a rival pizza company. It was my first time in for Jeff. He was good at making suggestions and giving direction and my scene partners were all fun to work with.