My Journey

Awww..... the ever familiar call box....dial the numbers wait for the person to answer and you say....."Im here for the audition." then...beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep you may enter

Hey everybody!  I've decided to change things up a bit,  instead of making this blog only about updating you on all things I've been cast in.  I've decided to document my journey as an actor.  I feel that it might help people better understand the daily grind of a working actor in L.A.   Maybe even pick up the spirits of an actor having that ever too familiar moment of self doubt.  Do I love what I do?  Hell yes!  Is it glamorous at times?  It can be.  Is it a daily grind that can not only knock the wind out of your sails but capsize the whole damn boat??  You bet your sweet arse it is.  This business is easy to get into but hard as hell to stay in.  You better have  the skin of a rhino to take the rejection that can come on a daily basis.  But for me all the no's NEVER out way how it feels when you get that Yes....that sweet , beautiful , validation of all your hard work...YES.  So here is day one of my Blog 2.0 "The Journey."  Day 1 - The Gain National Commercial-  Today I had a national commercial audition for Gain (the cleaning product company).  It started off in a fairly usual manner, after walking up to an intercom, dialing a code that was typed on a piece of paper that was taped to a wall I say the magic words "I am here for the audition."  Then beeeeeeeep I'm in!  As I walk in I do so with another gentleman who is a more "hipstery" version of myself (he is the plaid shirt in picture #2) .  We both sign in- name, sag#, agent, appt. time, M/F?, then my ethnicity.  As I look around I see that we all look fairly similar, some may see this and be annoyed, but I on the other hand see it as Great!   This actually makes me feel better than walking into a room that looks like the united nations.  At least the director/ producer/ client/ agency (yes that many hands can go into the decision of who is cast at times) knows what they want.  Now it is up to me!!!  After a brief explanation by the casting director we wait...and wait...and wait. (get used to this newbies...it's the way of the world sometimes but, not all the time)  Then.... 20 minutes later, I get the call , it's my turn!  I take a photo, state my name, show my profiles (A.K.A. look from side to side) then do my magic! Out of not wanting to be sued by Gain I will not divulge what they had me do , but be sure there was a lot of showing emotions without words.  After it's over I get the proverbial "great job," (See Advice #1 below) and exit the room.  Here are a few pieces of advice I can give for after an audition:
- Piece of Advice #1- Don't think too much about what the final words or the tone of those words coming out of the casting director's mouth are.  I've had a C.D. basically tell me I had the job after the audition and then not get cast.  But I've also had the the laziest and worst sounding "thank you," and then get booked for the job.   You just never know.  
-Piece of Advice #2- In the end you have to move on, you cannot do anything else at this point, I just think positively (as I always do) and go on to the next one. 
As I walk out of the casting office I feel great, I feel it was call back worthy (Call backs= a second audition this time w/ either the director or agency or both)  but I have to forget about it.  Because I will drive myself crazy if I continue to wonder how I did?  Or if they will call?  Here is a quote that has always stuck with me, thanks Jason Story "Some will, some won't, so what."  Well,  that's it for day 1... One of many  commercial auditions I will have this year (thankfully).  Thank you for coming along with me today, hopefully you all continue on reading my future posts and spread the word.  Thanks again for the support!
-AB

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Don't be alarmed when you walk in and everyone looks similar to YOU..... this actually makes me feel better than walking into a room that looks like the united nations. At least the director / producer/ client/ agency (yes that many hands into the decision at times) knows what they want. Now it is up to me!!!