Actor Growth

Alright, as mentioned I was trying out a different acting school today. It seemed like for the most part everyone was new to the school as well. So that kind of made it easier for everyone. For me, attending this particular class was to try and get a feel for the schools and instructors to see if it may be a good place for me to receive continuous training and support.

I must say, there was a lot of stuntmen in the class it seems. Most of the topics that were covered were pretty basic as it revolved around items such as trying to understand what you are fighting for when it comes to a scene. So in that sense I didn’t really learn much for myself when it comes to technical items.

At the end of the class we were given a sheet to fill out some questions on what we think acting is. As well, it seems like a self analysis so that the instructors can get a better idea at where we are in our careers and what they can do to best help us. Time to fill this out for next week.

I am still wondering how I even got on the mailing list for this. It seems perfectly legitimate, but I have never registered for anything on the Fox network site. Apparently there is a new reality show called “X Factor” that is being run by the well known former American Idol judge Simon Cowell.

This was the e-mail:

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Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:05:43 -0700
From: “Simon Cowell”
Reply-To: “Simon Cowell”
Subject: A Message From Simon Cowell Re: The X Factor
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Hello,

Do you, a friend or a family member have what it takes to become a global superstar? I’m looking for the next singing sensation, someone with that special something – ‘The X Factor.’

The X Factor is my new show launching this Fall on Fox. It’s a make-it-or-break-it singing competition, and this time there are no restrictions. Solo singers, vocal groups and anyone over the age of 12 have the chance to win a $5 million recording deal with Sony Music. There’s NO upper age limit!

If you think you’ve got what it takes, we encourage you to audition. The search starts in Los Angeles on March 27th, and then continues on to Miami, Newark, Seattle, and Chicago, ending in Dallas. We are looking for people who know they can be superstars and have the raw talent to back it up.

Now is your chance, who knows, you or your group could walk away with a $5 million recording contract and a lifetime of stardom.

Below is a guide for your X FACTOR audition – everything you need to know to show up and be prepared.

Good luck,
Simon Cowell

HELPFUL LINKS
• Sign up for audition information.
• Check out audition tips.
• Download rules and release forms.
• Get Simon’s advice on what not to sing.

STEP-BY-STEP AUDITION INFO

1. REGISTER.

There are TWO PARTS to the registration process:

* FIRST: Collect your wristband the day before your audition. You pick up your wristband beginning at 6 AM the day before the audition day, until 6 AM the day of your audition. (You might be waiting in line for a bit, so plan accordingly). Also note that if you plan on bringing friends and family to support you, they have to register as well.
* SECOND: Arrive before 8 AM on the day of your audition. It could be a long wait so dress weather appropriate and remember to bring snacks and drinks. All the info you need to get to the venue for auditions and wristband collection is listed below and available here. Everyone attending will need a government issued ID, and that includes friends and family.

Location Wristband Collection Date Audition Date
L.A. Sports Arena
Los Angeles, CA Saturday, March 26 Sunday, March 27
Bank United Center
Miami, FL Wednesday, April 6 Thursday, April 7
Prudential Center
Newark, NJ Wednesday, April 13 Thursday, April 14
Key Arena
Seattle, WA Tuesday, April 19 Wednesday, April 20
Sears Center Arena
Chicago, IL Tuesday, April 26 Wednesday, April 27
Dallas, TX
Dallas Convention Center Wednesday, May 25 Thursday, May 26

Now that you know when and where to show up, make sure you’re prepared to WOW THE JUDGES!

2. PICK YOUR SONGS.

Choose a verse and chorus from three different songs to sing without backing music – just vocals. You may not get to perform all three, but be prepared just in case! This isn’t the time to go with obvious choices. Pick songs that are unique to your personal talents and highlight what it is that you do best.

3. DRESS TO IMPRESS.

If you’re serious about being a star, you have to look the part. That means showing off your own personal style with an ensemble that represents how you see yourself as an artist. Make it good, this is your time to shine.

4. MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

* You have to be a U.S. citizen.
* A parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under the age of 18.
* Bring Valid ID: Keep in mind, that ID is still required for minors. That can come in the form of a school ID or a yearbook page with a matching birth certificate. If the minor is too young for school identification, parents can present a photo ID and the child’s birth certificate so that names can be matched on the printed record.

If you pass this portion of the audition process, a member of the production team will contact you about what’s next.

Still have questions? For further information, please visit our website at www.fox.com/thexfactor. Or call the toll free information line: 855 345 5678

I was just thinking how they must be very desperate for more candidates or something to be sending mass messages like this if there are supposed to be auditions in a week. Must be funny auditioning for reality shows versus roles for film and TV as the environment is probably more loud and open.

Whereas in film and TV auditions you usually try to keep quiet as people want to focus on all their lines and such.

Been awhile since I have been training at a school as there just didn’t seem to be a place that fitted my schedule. I was looking over at the old place I used to go to and it seems like the acting coach I went with before is no longer there.

I was researching a bit and found a new place to tryout. It’s on the weekends too which is perfect for the time being as there are rarely ever any audition or work calls during that time. Let’s see how this goes.

I have been recently checking out the independent scene here in Vancouver to see some of the new productions that are attempting to create something big. The interesting thing was it seemed like so many of them were using this site called Indie Gogo at http://www.indiegogo.com/ which I guess you would classify as a public funding type of site.

Basically, you create a project and then show the world your idea in an effort to raise capital to create your project. This also made me think how this is probably a good resource for actors as well that are trying to create their own mini web series and require some kind of funding.

Guess there is a first time for everything. The other day I went to an audition as a result of an advertisement I read where the production was specifically looking for Asian talent. They had a website and everything and the location appeared to be in the downtown area which to me meant it sounded legitimate and all. I even corresponded with the people through e-mail ahead of time and everything seemed okay.

Once I arrived I buzzed the building in question as there are several companies listed as tenants. To my surprise, no one answered and so I was left debating if this was just a false posting or if the people that were supposed to be there simply didn’t show up.

I wasn’t used to getting a number to contact the casting person before going to an audition as usually I can just contact the agent for all that. But in this case I didn’t have any since I just took initiative to respond to the posting directly. What I did was that I went online with my cell phone and located the phone number of the business in question. When I dialed it though I was simply greeted with an automated voice message.

Therefore, I just left a message expressing how I arrived and there didn’t seem to be anyone there. I further expressed that if they still wanted to call me in I would be in the area for another hour or so. I did send an e-mail when I got home way after and they were telling me that they were there the whole time.

I guess that is a lesson learned that if you reply to postings digitally and that is the only way the two parties have communicated with each other that you should make sure that you have the tools to do the same on the road incase of a mishaps like this. Another day another experience I suppose.

Happy new years everyone. 2010 was a semi interesting year for me thus far when it came to things I have experienced in this profession. Of course, the biggest change and decision I made was that I changed principal agents as I felt that my old one simply wasn’t working out. Indeed, I have been getting out a lot more to auditions since the switch which just shows you how much of a difference an agent can make.

Another interesting thing in 2010 was that I noticed that my IMDB profile that I created for fun way back as you may all remember had a credit added to it by a production which I wasn’t really expecting at all honestly.

All in all, it seems like the journey is moving forward. No big breaks or anything yet. One thing I was unsuccessful with last year which you may all remember is that I wanted to gather up the right people to start something serious like a web serious. Had a lot of inquiries but no one really followed up. People have been telling me to just do it myself solo, but it keeps running across my mind that it would be better to work it with a team of other enthusiasts.

Let’s see what happens in 2011.