Operation Callback

I had a callback today (that I was lucky to get, thank you to my casting directors: Sherrie & Dan) for a feature film, leading role, “Operation Cerberus”.  I had brought the sides to the casting director workshop and I was able to work on the first two pages out of six.  I kept getting stopped within the first two, because those were the two hardest pages for me, making the words with many cut off sentences sound believable, especially within the situation that the lead character was in.

Worried about making my casting directors look bad for bringing me into the callback without the director and producers actually seeing me audition, I made sure to work on the scene as to not disappoint them (and of course in hopes of booking the role).  My oh-so-nice friend Scott, who just moved to Los Angeles from Seattle, came over to help me with my scene.  We worked on it for about three hours until we both felt that it had improved and that I had a good chance.  During those three hours, we decided that it would help me with the scene if I were to have a prop gun, so we went gallivanting all over Burbank to find one, not so easy to do.  Apparently not many stores these days carry fake guns due to the danger towards children, but luckily we found one at the good old dollar store. 

Once I started to practice with the gun, things went from “eh” to “wow, that really made a huge difference.”  Props always help me out.  Scott would stop me during my scene when necessary to change beats or wording, etc.  Having someone help you with a scene is a million times better than trying to do it on your own.  I have a huge mirror in my tiny studio (my closets are mirrors) and so I watch myself as I practice, but even then it is hard to judge yourself or when you know you are doing something wrong, trying to figure out the best way to make it better.  It always helps to have an outsider look on things. 

This morning I woke up bright and early to shower, get all prettied up and work on my scene for an hour or so before I had to leave for my audition.  I thought I would be the first to audition and that I would get there and they wouldn’t even be set up yet (has happened before).  I was wrong.  I suppose since this was the director and producers callback that they would probably all be there on time, bright and early; they had a lot of people to go through for callbacks and filming starts in about two weeks.  There were two men in front of me before it was finally my turn to audition (and there had already been about five people before I even showed up).  Before going into the audition room, Sherrie pulled me aside and gave me the DL on what I should let them know, etc.

I walked into the audition and the guy who was sitting next to me on the couch outside was a producer (oops, I didn’t even really look at him; I was too focused on staying in character).  There were three guys total, one director and two producers and then there was Sherrie and Heather (the reader and intern).  I warned Heather that I had a prop gun and to not start until a three count after I put the gun up.   The scene started out not too bad, but I have always had issues with the first part of the scene and it sounding off, my focus now was staying in character.  I continued through as I heard the producers say things here and there, I tried to remain focused.  Towards the end I pulled out the gun again, which Heather wasn’t expecting because she jumped back in her chair for a minute.  After my voice over to the camera, I was finished.  The director said he liked it, thanked me for coming in, I thanked the producers and walked out.  Dan asked me how it went; I told him it actually went alright and I headed for the door. Normally I would stick around and talk with Sherrie and Dan, but today was different.  They were busy and I wanted to remain as professional as possible. 

I hope that I did not disappoint Sherrie and Dan for bringing me into the callback and most of all, even though I have way less fighting experience than the rest of the girls, I hope I book it!  Not only would this be a chance of a lifetime, it would also boost my career and challenge me as an actress.