I'M in Hollywood
BY GRACE
YANG
I just received a copy of a short film I was in entitled, "My Way". It's about a little girl who accidentally kills her cousin with sleeping pills. I played her aunt. While I watched it, for some reason my mind went to the audition. Auditioning is very hard for me. I find myself being humble, and creative, and sure of myself, even though, at times, I am not. Maybe I think about it too much. In, 'My Way' I played an angry abusive mom. If they want someone angry, when I get there I try to be so nice to everyone. As soon as I audition, I turn into the most angry woman they have ever seen. If they want nice, I do the opposite. When they ask for sexy or trendy, I go there wearing clothes over my sexy clothes. When I walk in, I can see from their eyes, they are saying to themselves “Why is this woman here?” Then when I take off my top layer, I see their faces change, and sometimes they come over to talk with me.
intimidating. Some of these tricks I have come up with over time, really help me with my confidence. I guess I feel like I'm playing the game with them. In the beginning, I didn't even realize there is a game. Believe me there is!
When you go to audition, there are so many actors there, trying to get the same role. It can be very intimidating.
THE CALLBACK
Like the callback. A call back is just like it sounds. You already went to the audition, and somebody liked you. Now they are calling you back for a second audition. Its usually down to you and one or two others. Just because the casting director liked you, doesn't mean the clients liked you, or the director for that matter. I try to make sure even the camera man likes me. I've come to realize, that the more enjoyable you are to work with the more work you will get. Of course you have to be talented.
I have a love, hate relationship with callbacks. I know they liked me, so I get excited. Out of all those talented people, I'm on the top. But sometimes even at the callback they can't decide who will get the part. Maybe there was three of you, now there is only two. I try to not get excited, but I can't help it. The bigger the part, the less sleep I will get. I wait in anticipation for the phone call, which you only get if you get the part. I have went to callbacks, and waited several days thinking about that part until my mind went on to other things. Then the phone rings and I got the part. So happy, so excited, and so upset that it took them so long to decide to use me. I guess we always think we are the perfect fit.
When they really can't decide, they tell you there will be a second call back. I used to go to the second call back, but never got the part. So I stopped going, I say I'm too busy. Since I started approaching the situation this way, I have gotten the part four times now. Once the casting director called me several times, saying how much the client wants to see me again. Do you know how hard this is to do. To sit at home with nothing going on knowing that you really want that part, that it is perfect for you. Saying that you are too busy to make it. The first time I told them I couldn’t make it to the second callback, I said I was on set filming. They set up a special time just for me to come audition for the client. I got the part, and I knew I was onto something.
The absolute worst is when they put you on hold. To be put on hold means they know who they are going to use, but they also liked you. So if anything happens at all with the person they chose, you will be the first one they call. Usually you are put on hold for twenty four to forty eight hours. So once again, if your phone doesn't ring you know you didn't get the part. You hardly ever get called when you are on hold. The person who they chose first, is going to do everything they can to make sure they are there and on time, just like you would. However, I have gotten one part when I was on hold. Lucky for me the person they had chosen first, canceled for whatever reason, and I got the call.
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my column