Audition: Honda @ Sheila Manning

This blog is 7 years old. Crazy.

I gotta work on jotting down things other than just the wacky world of the business. If you haven't heard, large swaths of brush and forest have been burning in the LA area. We don't live on the edges where that stuff typically pops up, but, due to the nature of the topography, we do suffer the effects of the crazy smoke that clogged the air. It's brutal. I was in Malibu late this afternoon, and could see the smoke from there (quite a distance). We've mostly stayed cooped up with the doors and windows closed all the time.

Ok...so the audition was with a casting director for whom I hadn't auditioned previously. However, I did a drop-off at her office on my first or second ever round of drop-offs shortly after we moved here. I thought I gleaned the info I needed for this, but when I got there, I was the only one wearing a suit. Everyone else also seemed to be of Latin descent, but I look like I'm from a long line of Ohio-ans. Then, I thought I maybe misunderstood something or was there at the wrong time. But, just a few minutes later, I was in the room. The audition material wasn't what I had prepared for, so I was a little overdressed, but otherwise able to adjust. My scene partner had a line to give to me in Spanish, but I knew what the reaction was supposed to be and I didn't have to say anything back. There were a couple of bumps in the way the scene came off, but it was fine. Afterward, I called my agency to make sure I had the time right, and they assured me I did. You really never know what you're going to do when you get to an audition.


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Callback: Casino Arizona @ Craig Colvin; Improv - Cherry

I'm starting to see some more "usual suspects" as we follow each other around to auditions and callbacks. It was fun bantering a little outside the room. Inside the room, we did the spot several times in a couple of different ways.

Had a Cherry performance tonight that went ok. We're starting to tape the performances so our coach can see them for notes, and so we'll have submission material for festivals. I've been itching to do another festival.

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Audition: IHOP @ Kari Peyton

My favorite word in casting breakdowns recently is "like-able". In the world of commercials, that's a fairly universally desired quality in the talent. I guess you sometimes see a particular role that is meant to be antagonistic or stand-offish somehow, but not very often.

I hadn't been into Kari Peyton's office in some time, so it was nice to be back. They're working out of a really nice facility now. The place was jumping too, because there were a couple of spots and TON of kids.

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Audition: Casino Arizona @ Craig Colvin

Funny - I was just thinking about how it had been a bit since I had stopped in at Craig Colvin's office. I was paired up with another actor and off we went. Things are usually very smooth here.

While I was there, Craig mentioned to me that someone called him, mentioned my blog and asked if he knew me. He thought it was pretty cool. So do I. Someone else essentially put me in the mind of a casting director. And, I was reminded that people I don't know sometimes read this stuff. While this blog isn't really a tutorial by any means, I hope if you've happened upon me and taken an interest, maybe you will benefit from it. I'll also take this opportunity to invite you to email me as well and tell me a little about you and your journey. The "contact me" link is at the top.

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Audition: Pillsbury @ ASG; Improv - Jack & Johnny

Four in the room for this one, and I had a fun group. It's great when you find a quick comedic rapport with strangers at an audition. I felt like we had a strong take on the material and were funny to boot.

I completely forgot to mention the Jack & Johnny show from last Thursday. Will and I played at Crashbar Improv, a fun, small room. Our show was kickin'. While I've been entirely enjoying the group Harold work with Cherry at IO, I feel the two-person format is like going home for me from the years of JaCKPie. Cherry is also doing great. We're getting lots of shows and working with a fantastic coach. Next Friday, Cherry is playing with Craig Cackowski, one of my favorite teacher/performers at IO West.

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Audition: Sprint @ Karen Maseng

I swore on all that I hold dear (and signed a document to that effect) that I would say nothing about this. So, the mystery must remain mysterious.

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Audition: LA-Z Boy @ Dan Cowan

First voiceover audition in quite a while. I don't really market myself for voiceovers yet. It's an area I need to explore, but have yet to assemble the tools necessary to do so (voice reel, etc.). Soon! I do enjoy playing with voices, so this was fun for me. I also look forward to the day when I come home with a LA-Z Boy recliner, so it's perfect for me!

Now, here's a weird thing. I got a callback for Walmart. Then, I got an uncallback for Walmart, something about how they cut down the callback list. I think this is just the second time that's happened to me. Executive decision - it still counts.

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Callback: Samsung @ Jeff Hardwick

I expected a callback for this one and got it. In fact, during a time when things are traditionally slow, I feel that I've been very fortunate to continue to get out and land these. As always, it's great, but booking is better. There were more of us in the room for the callback and quite a range of people. It was more difficult to cultivate the camaraderie, but I felt alright - not rock solid - but alright.

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Audition: Walmart @ Alyson Horn

There were LOADS of kids in the casting facility, which always makes things a little interesting. I was on a tight schedule and hoping to get in and out fairly quickly, and I was! Good job session runner.

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Audition: Samsung @ Jeff Hardwick; Callback: Sprint @ Martin Casting

Sweet! I'm on the go again. Today, was a new CD for me - Jeff Hardwick. Somehow, I've made it this far without getting in there. There were some recognizable faces from other ongoing commercial series showing up for this audition. I felt good about being in their company, and about getting in based on the requirements listed in the breakdown. The Samsung audition went great. I felt it was really strong, and I even had an extra moment on the slate, which got laughs in the room with the camera still rolling.

The callback was good too. I had to sign a confidentiality agreement beforehand so I guess I won't say anything else about that.

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