I haven't had a week like this...in forever?!?! It's my Born Day week and no better gifts than these. My mind is still reeling, like did this just happen...maybe for others it's just a normal occurrence but for me, being the oddball that I am, it just doesn't work out this way although I've been prepping for days like this since who knows when. My brain is exhausted ( from memorizing pages upon pages of dialogue ), I've got tension in my shoulders ( from stress driving to & fro, ) and my body is exhausted ( from physically having to show up and out...) but I wouldn't have it any other way! If this is the life, then pile all of that on my plate please, I've been asking for it and I know I truly deserve it, even though with a few knocks on the road to have me doubt myself, I know I can do this regardless if given that opportunity to play. This week was filled with mom roles which I played all so differently when I could, to a hush-hush bad ass fighter, to a car salesperson doing their work, I took each role into heavy consideration without contemplating genre because when presented with a chance to play, YOU PLAY! 3 auditions to take care of first...then 2... 🙌
Day 1:
Barely there makeup to make myself look older, clothing as close to a mom feel I could push because getting these types of roles to play with has been a hard fight and a slightly older physicality to round out my choices. They gave me nothing but a line about 4 scenarios to do with this character like you come home, you read a letter, you wait with a police officer, you see your son. I had to come up with the rest as we artists do to fill in the blanks - more for the peace of my mind/art, always dig a little deeper, even when it's not asked of oneself...
2nd commercial audition of the year with the idea of being more of the youngest mom of the group doing some shopping, so instead of the bun, I went for a lower hanging ponytail - mostly because I forgot my hair clip - and the same clothing choices as above plus a bit more make up for a glow since it's a commercial, because they want "real" mom, television style!
Hair came down for this mom role but pulled back with a clip for a film audition shooting in Hawaii since she was also a working professional. I almost went with a conservative jacket but thought, hell, this is Hawaii and there were some character descriptions that leaned my clothing choices a bit more extravagant. Remember, do what you feel is comfortable for you as the character to convey an extra message without words, your look is as important as the stuff coming out of your mouth. Of course it feels weird, but it's just another shade of you so play in creating the character fully as you see fit, right down to the shoes. Was a bit worried about my choice in making sure I had tears in the last scene but only brimming slightly with layers of anger in the first, containing my mood so as not to have the same feeling throughout was a specific goal of mine during this audition. Making colorful choices while still in the vein of the scene can still catch them off guard but it's something I cherish about my art and everything I do to push my work along. Lots of improv in the room which I played off of but I gave snot and tears by the end! Mission accomplished...what a full day, so let me slightly celebrate because I've got 2 for tomorrow and there's no rest to be had....
Lucky for me, lunch with Rodrigo to pull me out of the serious artin' head space and to celebrate my Born Day month with a good ole fashion disco wood cut out board with delicious eats at the Korean BBQ joint!
Day 2:
3rd commercial audition of 2019 and that seems to be half of what I had all year long so I'm jumpin' jumpin'. Nice campaign as well so it's fun to finally be called in to see all the gals who normally get these as we play moms. They ranged in hairstyles to clothing choices to skin tone but they all were more African American looking so I went in to have fun. There have been a couple of commercials I've seen as of late that required some acting chops but I still feel that most are booked based on the look they want to convey for the product and who they're still trying to market to. Doesn't seem I'm the type on their list but I'll keep pushin' forward so I an see others like me at auditions like these to finally get glimpses of me on the television screen in a wide variety of spots. It doesn't matter if you don't have their "look," what matters is going in professional and when asked to have emotion, you give them eyes full of just on the verge tears playing the proud parent you're suppose to be! When you get that chance, regardless of the cards stacked against you, you go in and dance your art out as you should, letting them all know you deserve the opportunity and it will come...through them or through someone else because you're just that good! Hang in!!! Quick change in the bathroom and I'm racing to my last, but very important and super hush-hush audition...
Yay to seeing a familiar face in the room...it's always calm with someone who knows you and is comfortable with seeing you work and although stressed about only having a full day and an evening with the 4 pager of words, I relaxed knowing it was someone I've worked with already. Nervous, but only because I wanted to make sure I was prepped with strong character choices for them. Made it on time ( barely ) and had one person ahead so after filling out the NDA forms so I can't spill any beans, I looked over my words and said - "Here goes..." Went into the room and was greeted warmly all around as I went into my scene...not knowing what it was for...until after my read. So excited just to have the opportunity and to share my vision of what I think this character could be with some obvious tweaks via the director that I thought no one would bring to the table. Was it a risk, yes, but so worth it to have them see me in a total different light and once I was told what the project for ( I pee'd my pants ) I was able to make some small shifts to my read but stayed true on who I created. The project went by a totally different name along with some careful changes in descriptions to throw me off scent but boy, when you get opportunities like this, you see how far you've come regardless of the outcome. Book or not booked, I was just happy to have been given that chance because that is all that we ask for as we're being seen for our art. I was slightly worried about how I may have wanted this character to be but I loved my choice and I stuck to it through and through dammit...even was told that I did a great job. Hey, what more can you ask for...full day, Born Day Celebratin' happenin' next - WHEW and lucky me! ( Remember to realize just how fortunate you are to be pursuing your dream... ) Go for it, each and every time, however you see fit!!! Let's Do Dis!!!!
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