Audition Diary

Dear Diary,

I’ve had some auditions this past week and I’m feeling confused about things.

Last Friday: I attended an audition for a major feature film that’s coming to town next month.  It’s backed by a studio and has big-name stars attached to it.  The parts I auditioned for are really tiny, but I’d like to get one.  That way, at least I’d feel like the casting director likes me.  This casting director hardly ever calls me in and I don’t know why.  I’m great at keeping in touch and illustrating that I’m continuously working, so I’m perplexed that I’m not called in more.  Oh, well.  I have to keep plugging away, right?

Monday: Another casting director called me last-minute to audition for a lead role in another feature film coming to the area.  I really liked the character and her role in the story so I spent considerable time defining her and making conscious choices.  Based on what I knew, I even anticipated what could happen in the audition and prepared for what they might ask me to do.  And they did request it!  I was pleased to be prepared and, as a result, I felt confident.  But when I left the audition, I began to question everything.  (You know how it is when one begins to reflect on performance and perception.)  What if I hadn’t given them what they wanted?  What if they disagree with my interpretation?  What if they look at the tape and think, “Gee…she can’t act.  Next!”  And now I’ve just read up on the director of the project and she’s a known director with big projects to her credit.  Aaaarrggghhh!  I don’t think I made a fool of myself, but sometimes it’s just hard to stick to my personal tricolon, “I go, I do it, I leave.”

Wednesday: I auditioned for a radio spot.  I love doing commercial voice over and I was excited to get a chance to read.   But, again, it was conducted in a strange manner.  Though there were multiple parts for female voices, we were all assigned one character to prepare.  Why not have all the women read all the parts?  Anyway, I liked the copy and understood the goal, rehearsing several types of deliveries.  Then, when I arrived at the studio, I found the studio door open, so I could hear the woman recording ahead of me.  It was difficult to listen and not be swayed by her read.  She has a great sound with a rich tone.  My sound is very different from hers and I expect they may choose her.

Friday: I concluded that though a producer had been in contact with me about recording a voice over demo for an industrial video (I had come highly recommended by a mutual friend), I won’t be working the gig.  The producer and I had exchanged emails and phone conversations, and I had been left with the impression that he intended to book me and the record date would be Wednesday.  Well, its past Wednesday and I’ve heard nothing.  I’m bummed!  This would have been a fun gig with great potential.  What’s up universe?!

Today: I slept almost ten hours last night!  I feel so well-rested!  This morning I’ve been sending out headshots and resumes and interrogative emails.  Guess what?!  I’ve already booked one audition for a project in California!  Yay!  Now I need to increase my percentage of jobs booked relative to my auditions…