In other acting news, I was at an audition yesterday for a student film. It was a graduate film at one of the best film schools around, so I was kinda pumped about it. I'm sure I killed it, so don't worry about that. But, the reason I'm telling you about this, other to keep you informed, is that I continue to come across people I can't believe exist. Let me set the stage for you a little bit. I walk in the room, and there are probably about 6 other dudes in there, the casting is obviously running a little behind, no big deal. I spy the sign-in sheet, so I go over and put myself on the list and sit down to go over the sides while I've got some time. Then, HE walks in. I didn't immediately know it was him, but I found out pretty quickly. Upon crossing the threshold, he, loudly, asks the room where the sign-in sheet. 6 heads look up and motion to the only table in the room, which also has a notepad and pens on it. AKA, the sign-in table. So he signs in and sits down two people away from me. He then starts with general niceties, "Hi, whats your name?" etc. Since he is a person away, I don't answer, or engage in any way. Then he begins this conversation, as loud as possible, about how most student films are total [crap] and he was surprised that this one "flowed really well, and didn't try to hard, the writing was actually pretty good, and not pretentious at all." I had to relocate. Not only could I not concentrate on the sides, I had to stifle my laughter at this clown. I go get water. Come back to hear him saying "Daniel Day-Lewis is overrated, and frankly just not that good." Ok, kid still auditioning for student films (I forgot to mention that he studied at the Strasberg theatre in NY before moving to LA. I also neglected to mention he dropped out after 6 months of a 2 year program) here's a little tip: hating on two-time Oscar winners isn't really gunna get you very far in the acting world. Also, who doesn't like Daniel Day-Lewis? I mean, seriously. Next, he launches into this whole big rant about how he hates it when no one is talking in the lobby before auditions because it's so stiff. He likes to be loose when he auditions. To which the other (now 7) heads looked at each other in inward laughter, not believing this guy was for real. Numerous people relocated because he was talking, yet he never picked up on the fact that no one else wanted to talk, to anyone, let alone his annoying self. I know I may not get the part, but I hope he doesn't either. I dont even feel bad about saying that.
Through too many connections to write, I had a meet and greet with the Head of Casting at MTV (scripted shows, not reality, though maybe I should sign up for Real World 117) this past Tuesday. We met for coffee. He had an expresso, I had green tea. So LA. I really only expected for it to be a 15-minute sit down, the obligatory "someone asked me to do this, so I'm going to, but I'm not that pumped about it" meeting. Well, an hour and a half later, I was proved wrong. It turns out that I'm doing a lot of the right things, which was nice to hear. When we were done talking he encouraged me to continue to email him with future questions, and if I were to meet with any agent/manager/casting director he would be happy to put in a good word on my behalf, assuming he knew the particular person the future me would be meeting. A very productive meeting, I think. I sent him a thank you note.
One of these days, I will post about some awesome thing I just booked or something, but until then, you will continue to get posts about people I don't like and meetings that may or may not go well. My improv class doesn't start for a couple weeks, but I imagine you can expect some posts about people and events from that. Till then.
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