Actor Growth

I got a text message late last night for an audition for a TV show that I had auditioned for in the past. I never got the part but I happened to know some people that were working in those episodes. So to my surprise it was kind of interesting to see them at the audition still as you would think continuity wise for the show it’s weird seeing the same actor in different episodes trying to portray different people.

The audition was pretty quick overall as there were about two lines to read. All in all, I think it’s one of those either you have the look that the director is looking for or you don’t type of thing.

I was surprised today in going for an audition that was apparently for some kind of soup commercial. We weren’t given any sides and so everything was pretty much on the spot. Something interesting happened when I was in the audition room as this apparently was a non-union shoot. One of the performer there was a union member and therefore was told of the conflict. Therefore, he left. That was an interesting mix up I thought.

In the actual audition I was paired up with another lady. We were given a bowl and a plastic spoon. While standing up, we pretended to drink the soup with a happy mentality. Afterwards, we were told to start dancing which was new to me in an audition.

Therefore, the other girl and myself started dancing. The casting director before even made remarks such as twirling her as an idea. Well, we did do things like that and we were semi energetic. There was even one part where while dancing I pulled her up to me as if we were going for a big hug. That definitely got the room all psyched up.

Everyone was laughing and having a good time. It was funny too as usually at the end of auditions you would end it by saying your name in-front of the camera. The girl I was with said “I don’t know if I can remember my name after that” which was hilarious. She then said I made her day and all and we high-fived each other after the audition as it seemed very good.

Very fun experience.

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:

From – Sat Mar 19 08:04:37 2011
X-Account-Key: account3
X-UIDL: 1300518344.14030.pt01
X-Mozilla-Status: 0001
X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000
X-Mozilla-Keys:
Return-Path:
Received: (fqmail 14029 invoked from network); 19 Mar 2011 07:05:44 -0000
Received: (qmail 14484 invoked from network); 19 Mar 2011 07:05:45 -0000
Received: from om-fox-entertainment.rsys1.com (om-fox-entertainment.rsys1.com [12.130.136.132])
by mx11.futurequest.net ([10.2.1.184])
with ESMTP via TCP; 19 Mar 2011 07:05:44 -0000
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha1; c=relaxed/relaxed; s=responsys; d=rsys1.com;
h=MIME-Version:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding:Date:From:Reply-To:Subject:To:Message-ID; i=Simon.Cowell@fox.rsys1.com;
Received: by om-fox-entertainment.rsys1.com (PowerMTA(TM) v3.5r15 (envelope-from )
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html;
charset=”ISO-8859-1″
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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
X-cid: ftv.895.10
X-sgxh1: HtHgxHtAWRRQJhu
To: alan@al6400.com
Message-ID: <0.0.CB.6AC.1CBE6041079F690.0@om-fox-entertainment.rsys1.com>

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.

Was at another audition today where it was one of those calls that you received no sides for. Basically, you have to improvise it on the spot. Today’s audition was a little awkward as the casting director told us that in the beginning we should talk a little about ourselves in front of the camera so that the person hiring the talent would get a better understanding of you.

She specifically mentioned too that we shouldn’t say basic things such as how we were actors. I really didn’t know what to say at first. Eventually, when it came to my turn I just joked a bit on how since I was Asian Canadian most people joke that I am a “Banana” where it’s like I am white on the inside and yellow on the outside.

After thinking about it, since this was an audition for some game company I should have probably talked more about how I was a hardcore gamer and such. Funny as I am so used to not saying that since most people could care less about that.

Afterwards the audition consisted of us pretending to be playing a game on our cell phones and having people cheering the player on. Each performer swapped where one time they were the player and the other time as the cheering buddy. Was pretty basic and straight forward. Lot’s of yelling I must say.

For this audition I don’t feel that I did anything special that would have made me stand out from others too much. So I definitely don’t expect this one to go anywhere.

I got to go audition today and in the audition room there were actually tables with a bunch of real tools that the performers would have to utilize to try and give a feel as if they are acting in the actual shoot.

It was kind of funny as in the script it mentions the characters are so lazy that they try to play like a ring toss game with some tools. Sure enough, we actually got to do just that in the audition itself. It’s always a lot easier auditioning in these situations as normally you have to try and recreate the space yourself to get you into the mood of the scene.

Well this was an interesting week. Just yesterday I had to do a self tape audition for a series regular role on a tv show. It was definitely shocking as I didn’t expect to even get these types of opportunities yet. My assumption is that I would only be considered for like those small one liner type of roles for the time being.

This had me worried a bit and of course I asked for help from people such as my old acting coach. This role seemed kind of interesting as the character was kind of cool and by the looks of it they wanted an Asian. For all the times I hear that if you are Asian you are doomed to play stereotypical weak characters or violent gangster roles this seemed great.

The odds are against me though in this as I would assume there are probably a gazillion other Asian actors with a bigger resume that would get priority consideration. But just the thought I was even consider is great I thought. Casting directors usually say that if you are even called up for consideration you should consider yourself as a finalist type of mentality.