Different Kind of Callback

December 31, 2005 by  

I was called back for the feature film, “The Wrong Hands”. What was odd about it was that they wanted me to do the read through. When I got there I met three actors who were already cast and then two more actresses and myself that were “called back”. The evening went as a normal table read, and at the end the director talked to us about the script. I, as well at the other to actresses, hoped that he would tell us if we were cast, but nothing was said. We asked if they wanted the scripts back, but they said to hold on to them. Sounds like a good thing. They said they would be working this weekend and I assume we will hear by Monday.

Well, I hope we hear by Monday as the audition notice said they begin shooting Jan. 6th. I did not want to ask to much details about the schedule and contracts because I did not want them to think I was assuming I got the part. Knowing they might be shooting for longer than a month I wanted to make them aware that I would be in Chicago for the first week of February. The producers were receptive. They thanked me for letting me know and said they had not made out the schedule yet. As my character is a supporting role, I don’t think the conflict will be a problem. So now the wait…

Filed under: Acting, Auditioning, Film, Los Angeles
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Hiatus?

December 29, 2005 by  

Like schools, Hollywood takes these two weeks off before starting up strong for pilot season. Kevin E. West wrote in article for Backstage West not too long ago about actors making Los Angeles there home. That actors coming to LA need to think of this city as home meaning that they just don’t try the acting thing out for a year, thinking something big will happen. Also that actors should not leave town too much so that they are available for auditions.

Well Los Angeles is my home. I went to school down here, my wife’s family lives down here, unless going on a major trip we are here. This to say I had an audition for a feature film last night. It is entitled “The Wrong Hands” and is directed by the founding director of the LA Film School, Amedeo D’Adamo. The audition went well. I prepared two scenes, and they had me read one. They seemed to be in a little bit of a rush, and said that I did not need to do the second scene. I collected my things in the hall and was walking to the exit when they stopped me and said they changed their mind and wanted to see the second scene. Always a good sign. Note for any actors. One you are done with the audition, leave, but leave slowly in case they want to see something else.

They second scene went well, and I felt a I might get called back, but did not give it much thought. When leaving I did notice I was the last actor and glanced at the sign in sheet and noticed that is was only half full. There could be many reasons for this. Maybe they did not call in alot of people, but I also think that alot of people were not available. A part of the business is being at the right place at the right time. There is an assumption in that phrase. The fact that you are at that place. You can not be at the right place at the right time if you are not around. That is why I try to make the effort to go to every audition no matter how big or small, because by going I could be at the right place, and with any luck at the right time.

Filed under: Acting, Auditioning, Film, Los Angeles
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MFA Acting Auditions

December 8, 2005 by  

I was looking at my statcounter. It is pretty interesting to see what people can google and find the link to my blog or website. Someone had googled “MFA Acting Blog” and came across my posts from last year. That person seemed pretty interested as he or she looked at most of my site. Well one to never let his readers down, it is time to start the MFA audition process all over again.

Each year I do this I get a little bit wiser. As you recall from last year (you probably don’t so I will remind you) I had all my California auditions on different weekends (going as far south as San Diego and north as San Francisco) and all my out of state audition in Chicago either at URTA (group general audition) or private auditions held.

This year I realized why don’t I spend an extra day or two in Chicago and do all my auditions there since all the California schools go out there to audition (except Fullerton, so not a 100% full proof plan). Also I decided to look up all the schools going to URTA and schedule a private audition with them, if possible. I decided to do this because in Chicago one has to go through a screening process even before auditioning in front of the schools, and no offense, but I don’t want my chance to be seen by a school left up to the subjective opinion of two people. You have to jump through too many hoops as it is to add one more to the mix.

All this to say I have applied to 22 schools individually, on top of any schools I meet through URTA. Most of my applications are done and I am waiting for my letter of recommendations to be completed. My goal is to have them all sent out by the end of this month. I am currently in contact with schools and working with regional theatre director Andrew J. Traister on my two audition monologues. Things are going well, but only time will tell if I will be in school next year. Below are the schools I am individually applying for. I’ll keep you posted (pun intended).

UCLA
KENT UNIVERSITY
BROWN UNIVERSITY
REGENT UNIVERSITY
ART (HARVARD UNIVERSITY)
YALE UNIVERSITY
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIV. OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
UNIV. OF IOWA
KANSAS CITY REPERTORY
UNIV. OF MONTANA
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
USC
UC SAN DIEGO
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
UC IRVINE
CALIFORNA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
UNIV. OF OHIO
NATIONAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY (DENVER)
CALIFORNIA REPERTORY(CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH)
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

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Filed under: Acting, Auditioning, Graduate School
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U2 x 2

December 6, 2005 by  

Back in April when I went to the U2 concert with Greg the people in line with us said after you see U2 once you will want to go back as many times as possible. They were back in November and I wanted to be there. At first Greg and I were trying to get four GA tickets for Karen, myself, Greg and his girlfriend. He had found a site and ordered two tickets. The plan was for me to order two more. The week I was going to do that, Greg called up saying that something went wrong and he was getting his money back. I knew if I was going to get tickets it would be the weekend before at the last minute.

The week before the concert my neighbor said he might be able to score some tickets through connections at work. This would be too good to be true. That was on a Monday and I had not heard from him all week. That weekend we spent in Palm Springs and had about 3 different bids going on ebay and continuously checking craigslist. The eBay prices were out of my price range, but Sunday morning before we left I saw and older craigslist add and emailed the gal, she had one GA ticket left for Tuesday, Nov. 1st. It was not the ideal as I wanted to get two tickets to bring a friend along, and I still did not know if my neighbor had gotten tickets. I could not pass it up and told her we would be home in the evening and I would pick up the ticket. When we got home, the neighbor said he had good news, he had gotten two tickets. My only thought was “Not on Tuesday, Not on Tuesday”. He said he got two suite tickets for Wednesday. YES!!! I was able to go to both nights and see the concert from two very different locations.

I got in line at 2pm on Tuesday and quickly made friends with the people around me. The two guys behind me each came alone, one all the way from Central America. The U2 fans are pretty great. All were friendly in line and willing to chat and keep good company. None of our group made into the ellipse that evening, but we were three deep in front of the outer stage. We were in perfect position for all the events on the outer stage. The one bummer was that the first show in April Staples did not allow cameras, so I did not bring mine this time. U2 heard and said that fans could bring cameras. I was bummed as I would have had some perfect shots. While inside I was standing net to a couple who recently got engaged. It made me fill a little lonely wishing Karen was able to be there with me, especially when they played songs like “With or Without You” and “Miss Sarajevo”.

The second night was different but great. It was great to go with Mike, my neighbor. He is a great guy and always fun to be around. The suite was just behind the Edge and the lowest of the three levels. What was really nice was there was food and drinks. A very much different feel from standing a total of nine hours the night before. They closed with “Bad” the second night which was my favorite U2 song and one I wanted to hear, but 40 is a better closer (which they did in April and the night previous). Nothing can beat the ground chanting “How Long Shall We Sing This Song” as each member takes a bow to leave Larry alone beating on the drums. I was a fan before these concerts and now I am a follower. All I can say is go. Make it happen, pay the scalp price if you have to, but go.

More Photos from LA Concerts:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/atu2/pool/tags/losangeles/

All the live songs from the Nov. 2nd concert:: http://savefile.com/projects.php?pid=145500

Video From LA and Oakland: http://mysite.verizon.net/ooyayootay/swagbag.htm

Websites for the U2 Fan:
http://u2sermons.blogspot.com/
http://atu2.blogspot.com/
http://www.u2tours.com/

Filed under: Los Angeles, Music
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