10 posts tagged “acting”
Don't forget to set your TiVo to catch my awesome Law & Order debut.
It's twelve minutes into the episode and lasts about one minute, so don't blink. Remember: Lab coat.
I went in to re-record the audio due to some sound issues, but I was really sick... So we may be hearing either the lower quality audio from the shoot day, or the sexy, flu-ridden, Barry-White-like basso profundo of two days ago. See if you can pick out which they used!
The Law & Order I did a scene in is airing on NBC at 9pm Central/10pm Eastern on February 2. The episode is called "Talking Points."
For those of you curious about the significance of February 2nd, let me remind you that February 2nd just happens to be The Lovely Virginia's birthday!
Oh, and my birthday!
Oh, and Jamps's (grandfather to The Lovely Virginia) birthday!
That's what we like to call a "red letter day."
You probably don't realize it, but that's me in the picture. It's hard to recognize me because I am so deeply ensconsed in my Law & Order character, bio student Mike Scholl. That's what a Master's Degree looks like, folks.
It's not a huge part, but I've been given a scene in an upcoming episode of Law & Order. L&O was the first audition I went on when I got to NYC two and a half years ago, and I've been in for them a thousand (read: twelve or so) times since... So it's good to finally nab one.
I'm gonna be one of those guys they interview in trying to track down the killer. "Look, I know he's suspiciously similar to the look of your perp, but so-and-so would never do that," et cetera.
I shoot it next Monday, and I assume the episode will air in January or February. Fingers crossed that I make it past the cutting room!
It has been brought to my attention that my allusion to some "very good news" I may have to share soon could be interpreted as a veiled announcement that The Lovely Virginia and I are expecting.
Allow me to put that silly little rumor to bed: Any good news I may or may not end up having to share has nothing to do with any additions to our tiny little family.
But here's some more good news: I got the call Monday that I had been cast in a Nextel commercial. The next day, I flew to Charlotte, NC to shoot. I got back yesterday. It was very, very fun.
The spot features me and this guy, and will air twice during each of the final seven Nascar races of "The Race for the Nextel Cup."
I have to say: I've never watched a Nascar race in my life. Now that I have someone to root for, I may have to check one out...
Recently, I did a short stint as a reader for a director I highly respect while he auditioned actors for a part in an upcoming film. As such, I got to see several different people auditioning for the same role, and was able to see how each of them worked.
If you're an actor, I highly recommend offering up your services as a reader. You can learn a lot in a short time, not only by watching the actors yourself, but by listening to what the director has to say about each actor when they leave the room. Fascinating.
This is hardly a comprehensive list. There are a million things to keep in mind, but these were at the front of my thoughts as I walked away yesterday.
- Keep your script in your hand -- It doesn't matter how well-prepared you are for the part. Even if you have everything down cold, for the love of God, just hold your script. It doesn't make you look bad. What makes you look bad is forgetting your line and taking thirty seconds to cough and sputter while you reach for and go through the sides, hoping to find where you are. It's so painful.
- If you have decided to ignore #1, feel free to call for line -- That's it, really. Just say, "line," and the reader, if they're worth their salt, will give it to you. Don't look around, don't roll your eyes, don't break rhythm - just say, "line." One guy yesterday would literally slap his thighs, roll his eyes, and say, "Dammit, Rich, what the hell am I supposed to say next?" He did this three times. Just chill out, and call for line. Don't call attention to it.
- Don't ask the reader how you did -- If you happen to be leaving at the same time as the reader, don't ask him/her about how you did. They don't care, and they will probably not be honest. No one likes to tell someone they just gave a lackluster audition, especially if they don't know them. If you have to talk to the reader at all, and please don't, then ask about how the auditions went, or if there were a lot of people, or if the director was nice, or something else. But don't ask how you did, you vain and/or terrified jerk.
I have now been a reader once and an auditioner about a gazillion times. I have learned that good readers are hard to come by, so I did what I could to be supportive of each person that came in. I reacted to how they were doing their dialogue (they say acting is reacting), I followed them when they got off-track, and I tried to make them feel like we were in it together. I hate readers who give you nothing emotionally and won't continue in the script until you get your line verbatim.
Of course, I hate actors like that, too.
Be sure to wash your produce.
You never know when some sleepy actor has been pawing your broccoli all night with his grimy hands on an overnight commercial shoot.
Aaaaaand... now I go to sleep. Good night.
The pilot I shot, Mad Men, has officially been picked up by AMC for 13 episodes.
Now we wait to hear whether I'll get to go with it. Please cross your fingers.
I mean, look at us! We're naturals.
Good news: I just booked a Progressive Insurance commercial. It's a national on-camera, and it's pretty funny. I shoot on August 9. I'm excited. It's my first spot since the Sprint commercial last October... that's a long time.
Today I am scheduled for four auditions. They are happening all-the-hell over Manhattan within a two-hour period.
Also, the weather report said to expect "drenching thunderstorms" this afternoon.
Well, won't that be fun.
At least the subway cars are air conditioned, which is more than I can say for the building The Lovely Virginia has to shuttle her Central Park campers into when it's raining.
Good luck, Wifus.
