This weekend I went to an audition for a movie short called “Standing Up”. It is a 25-30 minute movie about a guy who wants to become a stand up comic. I am a lot older than the three lead characters in the movie, so I was reading for some of the supporting roles in the film. I have done several lead roles, but more often than not, the lead characters are usually in the 20-30 age range so I end up doing a lot of major/minor supporting roles; often I play comic relief characters.

There is a moment in an audition just after you cold read a script for the first time that gives you an indication of how you are doing. After you read for the first time the casting panel will either say something like “Ok, thank you. that’s all we are reading today.” or they will ask you to read some more. If you are not asked to read again the chances are that you will not be considered at all and they just want to move on to the next person. However, if you are asked to read some more, the chances are much higher that you will at least be considered for a role. This is what my experience seems to tell me with only a few minor exceptions.

This audition was excellent because after I read the first time, they seemed very interested and had me read it again, in a different way to see how I could take direction. And then they went on to ask me to read the parts of several other characters. I must have read for them about five or six times or more; this is always a great sign. I had an amazing time, and I remembered one crucial thing in this audition which made a huge difference for me. I remembered to go in with the idea of entertaining the casting panel and not trying to show how good I was. There is huge difference! One is just me having fun performing and the other is more of a “in the head” self conscious experience that usually fails. In my opinion every audition should be looked at as a chance to have fun, to perform, and to take risks. One must know that other auditions will be coming soon and you don’t need to be perfect on this one, and you DO need to take risks and allow yourself to possibly fail in order to do your best work. I also remembered to set another intention before I went into the audition which was to surprise myself and surprise the casting panel. When ever I set that intention before I go in some cool unexpected thing usually happens that surprises me and comes off looking cooler than any thing I could “think up” ahead of time. During one of the reads I just all of a sudden decided to read it in a funny voice and accent, just for gags. If I had been worrying about the outcome or trying to look good I wouldn’t have taken the risk. They seem to really be amused and entertained by it, and it just was another reminder how important it is to look at the audition in this way.

Now for the down side of the event. This job was a non-union job and I am a union (AFTRA) actor which means unless they get a waiver or SAG Short Movie agreement I won’t be able to work in the film. Whenever a film does not mention union status in the casting advertisement it is pretty much guaranteed that it is NOT a union project. So what I do is go in to the audition and hope that they are so impressed with me that they will take the time, and effort of making the film union friendly.

People in the New England indie film world always say that it is insane to go union here because 99% of the film jobs are non-union; and they are mostly right. However, as an actor if you want to try for something bigger you have to eventually go union. Also luckily for me and other crazy New England union actors Rhode Island and Massachusetts have created film incentive bills to bring more big-budget, high profile jobs up to the North East; Maine is looking into it too. If you are union you may have an edge to find about this new work in these films. Or at least that is what I believe and I am sticking with it. I am thinking the union hot line is going to explode in the coming years. Let’s hope!

Book of the Month: My February 2006 book recommendation of the month is Wil Wheaton’s “Just a Geek”. I listened to the unabridged audio version which is read by the author with lots of extra content. This is a great book for any actor trying to go for the big time because it gives you insight into how cruel and uncaring that world can be. It also is a very hopeful and uplifting story as you see Wil transform himself from an angry mostly out-of-work actor into an excellent burgeoning writer. Wil is such a great story teller and I found his writing style really engaging. I felt like I was looking over his shoulder as he experienced his life. Also he performs the book in a very fun and entertaining manner; most enjoyable. Check it out. I also recommend you check out his very cool blog and podcast. They can be viewed at http://wilwheaton.typepad.com.

Tis’s all for now.

Wil Wheaton, aftra, sag, audition, intention, surprise, book, union, casting, stand-up comic, Just a Geek