If you're in theatre/film/TV, you've most likely either seen it done or had it done to you. I remember first network audition in LA. I was sitting in the casting office, clutching my headshot and resume with sweaty hands and a beautiful, breezy girl sat down next to me and said, "Is that your headshot?" Swallowing nervously, I nodded yes. "Can I see it?" she asked. I handed it over. She studied it and then handed it back to me, saying sweetly, "It's gorgeous. It doesn't look anything like you!" I just took that in stupefied silence.
Fast forward to this past week. I had an audition at a busy casting office where multiple calls were going on and I dropped into the restroom before signing in to make sure I looked presentable. I went up to the mirror and powdered my nose. A skinny blonde pushed up next to me at the one-person sink and sort of "body shoved" me. She then whispered into my ear, "Can you move? I'M here for the [insert name of cosmetic brand which I shall not reveal in order to protect said blonde's identity] audition, which I'm sure YOU'RE not here for, so..." I couldn't help myself. I smiled and said, "REALLY?! I'm the producer for that spot!" Of course, she figured out that was a fib once she got into the casting office and saw me signing in with all the other actors, however, it was absolutely worth it for that initial expression of utter horror and chagrin on her face.
All laughter and crazy stories aside, I will also say that the vast majority of auditions I go to are filled with professional people. They may not go out of their way to be nice but they're certainly not going out of their way to be mean, either. They're doing their job, taking it seriously and being efficient about it. The few (but oh-so-entertaining) stories about the audition psych out people just highlight those few very insecure people that feel they need to make someone else feel bad in order to succeed, which is a sad and silly place to live in. The blonde in the bathroom this week was actually correct; I WASN'T there to audition for the same spot she was. I was there for something totally different. So even if she had managed to freak me out, it wouldn't have helped her any. And, really, what if I HAD been a producer or a director or a writer who had the power to prevent her from being cast? Dangerous. The best way to be is nice and, failing that, at least be professional and just focus on doing your job as best you can.
At the end of the day, nice people DO win. The people I often see at auditions who are unfailingly pleasant and kind have this genuine aura of awesomeness about them and everyone (myself included) is thrilled to see them succeed because they're just so darn nice. Best way to be.
Fast forward to this past week. I had an audition at a busy casting office where multiple calls were going on and I dropped into the restroom before signing in to make sure I looked presentable. I went up to the mirror and powdered my nose. A skinny blonde pushed up next to me at the one-person sink and sort of "body shoved" me. She then whispered into my ear, "Can you move? I'M here for the [insert name of cosmetic brand which I shall not reveal in order to protect said blonde's identity] audition, which I'm sure YOU'RE not here for, so..." I couldn't help myself. I smiled and said, "REALLY?! I'm the producer for that spot!" Of course, she figured out that was a fib once she got into the casting office and saw me signing in with all the other actors, however, it was absolutely worth it for that initial expression of utter horror and chagrin on her face.
All laughter and crazy stories aside, I will also say that the vast majority of auditions I go to are filled with professional people. They may not go out of their way to be nice but they're certainly not going out of their way to be mean, either. They're doing their job, taking it seriously and being efficient about it. The few (but oh-so-entertaining) stories about the audition psych out people just highlight those few very insecure people that feel they need to make someone else feel bad in order to succeed, which is a sad and silly place to live in. The blonde in the bathroom this week was actually correct; I WASN'T there to audition for the same spot she was. I was there for something totally different. So even if she had managed to freak me out, it wouldn't have helped her any. And, really, what if I HAD been a producer or a director or a writer who had the power to prevent her from being cast? Dangerous. The best way to be is nice and, failing that, at least be professional and just focus on doing your job as best you can.
At the end of the day, nice people DO win. The people I often see at auditions who are unfailingly pleasant and kind have this genuine aura of awesomeness about them and everyone (myself included) is thrilled to see them succeed because they're just so darn nice. Best way to be.
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