Got another audition from Michael Donovan Casting for a low budget feature film, nothing too difficult, 2 pages of dialogue and getting to see an office I love! Traffic was a bit more strenuous and there was work being done on Gower causing much back up so I was running about 5 min's behind. Now normally I don't stress but because it's an office I have built trust with I gave a quick phone call stating I was running a bit behind which usually doesn't happen with auditions. I try to be at least 10 min's early so that I have 5 min's to prep in the car and 5 min's to deal with any issues getting to casting. It's a habit now to just make my audition time logged in on my calendar for 10 min's earlier so I don't even stress about it. Traffic happens, wardrobe snafu's happen....crap happens so do your best to be as prepared as possible and this is just a small nudge for me to help me relax before going in to give 'em my art! How can you be the best you if you're stressed about the traffic, forgetting something, feeling anxious - do yourself and your art a favor, give yourself time in all aspects of the audition so you can feel as prepared as possible to walk in without excuses because no one has time for that! As soon as I walk in and fill out the paperwork I'm called in because they want to get me in with the rest of the ladies that has auditioned so they ask the guy to wait...did I state I just got in and needed a minute - NO. Did I state I needed more time - NO...your time was in the car getting there and the extra time you had in your car if so, otherwise when you walk into the office you are on their time so don't blow it by walking in not ready. Sit in your car, do what you need to do even if you're running late, then walk in ready to go when your name is called - PERIOD. It's very selfish to bring that energy into the room, be professional because there is always one making it weird for the rest of us so don't be that one. I was inspired to see a kid who looked 15 behind the desk as the writer and maybe director, it motivated me more to understand no matter what age, just get it done! Stop with the I'm too old, too short, too big, too blah, blah, blah...in most ways, most of us are and that's a fact. The understanding to get to is "What Are You Going To Do About It?" Whining about it, isn't going to get you anywhere except with those that want to chime in about it. Now there is nothing wrong with venting it out but let it go then and move on, do it several times but don't stay in it, don't stay around it because pretty soon you'll be asking yourself "Why even bother!" YOU bother to make a change, YOU bother to create your work of art, YOU bother because there is nothing in the world you'd rather be doing so go do it!
Now it's been 15 auditions and a handful of call backs with one booking that has been shot. Don't be discouraged, these are actually good odds. Most of us will go 100's of auditions without so much as a callback at times but that's not the focus...again, please don't focus on that. Your craft is getting honed in, casting is beginning to get to know you better and you're getting the opportunity to create, don't stifle it on the wrong focus. Yes the end game is the booking, the job, the bragging rights but it's the work, the journey, the art you create in confidence so that when you walk in the room and they get you, then you're undeniable regardless of what they had in mind and that is what we're shooting for as artists. To create something they weren't expecting nor wanting but making them like it and asking for more, these then are the people that deserve your masterpiece and boy will you give it to them, because you've been waiting in the wings and now you shine with your time!
After the audition, I swing by the Sag/Aftra Health Fair because there are freebie goodies there that shouldn't be passed up with free tests for your eyes, ears and bodies. FREE can be good so take advantage when possible, too many things cost in this lifetime so getting goodness passed to you is your gift, grab it and let it replenish you for the battling field. I celebrate by seeing one of my favorite directors who's been a mentor to me direct at the Academy of Dramatic Arts for Youth doing "For Colored Girls." Saundra McClain is a monster in the business and if you see her name and get an audition, bring it and bring it hard. She is one of the few people that will look outside your race, your height, your whatever as long as you can be worked in and you come correct. She will give you a shot with no credits, little credits, all the credits - she does not care unless you work that piece to move her. There are too few of these types of creative creatures so give it to 'em when you see 'em, because they are the ones trying to think outside that box and change things because they've got the opportunity to do so. Getting the chance to watch these young women experience theater and hang with Saundra and Cheri from "Flyin' West" replenished my soul as well as hitting up Happy Hour with these lovely ladies at Bossa Nova. Bring on the next auditions, I'm inspired!!!
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