Couple weeks ago there was an open casting call for all types for a TV pilot. Debated on going because it was no pay. But I figured maybe it is an "if it gets picked up..." which I would be fine with. After a significant wait, I heard they are casting five very specific parts. They were running behind so started dismissing those that were obviously the wrong type. So glad I ended up not reading. What an amateurish operation! A cattle call for five specific roles? No excuse for it. Last one I attend. Wouldn't mind the wait (that's to be expected, like getting sand on yourself at the beach) but what they did is inexcusably lazy.
This afternoon, I auditioned for another TV pilot. This one offered pay. They put out a casting notice with character breakdown. This one worked like this: Actor submits, Production responds w/role(s) - if any - they want to consider Actor for, Actor confirms interest and audition time is scheduled. They could have easily gone the open casting route as well. (Would have needed a larger venue, but that's not relevant.) This group put forth the effort to bring in just those who would be right for the roles being cast.
Showing posts with label casting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casting. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Camera Presence
Awhile back I took a workshop from a CD on auditioning/cold reading. At the time he was casting a sitcom which is no longer airing. The first part was choosing - from a list of about six distinct supporting characters meeting at a support group the show's main character belonged to- the one we would cast ourselves as. He then went over which character he would cast each of us as. Don't remember what type (Yes, types was the point of this particular exercise.) he saw me or which I saw myself as.
I do remember a comment he made. He said he would be concerned about casting me because he felt I would draw focus from the regulars. He was referring to my camera presence. Great! Need to work on strong character choices? Doable. Need to work on line delivery? Doable. Camera presence draws focus from the regulars? How do you deal with that?
My approach: Dumb down my camera presence. Not! Wouldn't know how if I wanted to. Actually, I am doing what I would be doing had he not expressed his concerns. After all, it was just one person's opinion and it isn't something I can control. My focus is on things I can control such as developing my skills such as improv, script analysis, networking...
I do remember a comment he made. He said he would be concerned about casting me because he felt I would draw focus from the regulars. He was referring to my camera presence. Great! Need to work on strong character choices? Doable. Need to work on line delivery? Doable. Camera presence draws focus from the regulars? How do you deal with that?
My approach: Dumb down my camera presence. Not! Wouldn't know how if I wanted to. Actually, I am doing what I would be doing had he not expressed his concerns. After all, it was just one person's opinion and it isn't something I can control. My focus is on things I can control such as developing my skills such as improv, script analysis, networking...
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Film Contests
24 Hour film festival contest shooting this weekend. Signed up for one of the team's actor pools. Haven't heard back, so figure my level of acting is so far beyond the other actor's that the team leader is afraid I would upstage them just standing in the background. I'm kidding about the upstaging part. At least I hope that wasn't a deterrent. (Have been told in a workshop that there would be concern about my personality pulling focus from series regulars - but that is a blog for another day.) The rest - signing up to be on a team and not being cast, unless the team's rough schedule is majorly behind - is true.
The thing about contests like this for actors is until the script is written it is not known if there will be a character for which they are the right type. Since the script is not written until the contest starts... Would I have preferred to get the "there's a part for you" call? Absolutely. Duh! I also realize that this is not a "write a script to showcase my acting" contest. Upon seeing the finished film, will I agree that script wise the casting choices they made? Possibly. It has happened before were I auditioned for a role and after seeing the film had to admit the actor cast was more the appropriate type. Not that I'm submitting for roles I'm obviously wrong for. (Another possible blog subject.)
Coming up in just over a month: The 48 hour film festival. I'm going to sign up to be on a team. Believe it will be my third time. Would have to look at my acting journals to be sure. (First year for the 24 hour.) At any rate, I haven't been cast yet. Hopefully the team I sign with will end up with a script which as a role I'm right for. Keeping fingers crossed more for lead than supporting, but will just as enthusiastically do either role.
The thing about contests like this for actors is until the script is written it is not known if there will be a character for which they are the right type. Since the script is not written until the contest starts... Would I have preferred to get the "there's a part for you" call? Absolutely. Duh! I also realize that this is not a "write a script to showcase my acting" contest. Upon seeing the finished film, will I agree that script wise the casting choices they made? Possibly. It has happened before were I auditioned for a role and after seeing the film had to admit the actor cast was more the appropriate type. Not that I'm submitting for roles I'm obviously wrong for. (Another possible blog subject.)
Coming up in just over a month: The 48 hour film festival. I'm going to sign up to be on a team. Believe it will be my third time. Would have to look at my acting journals to be sure. (First year for the 24 hour.) At any rate, I haven't been cast yet. Hopefully the team I sign with will end up with a script which as a role I'm right for. Keeping fingers crossed more for lead than supporting, but will just as enthusiastically do either role.
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