I have a partial update from the auditions on Monday:
I’ve heard nothing from the second call. However, not surprisingly, the first call, where they really made me feel unwelcome, is going nowhere.
I talked with my manager about it, and he got some feedback from them: they found people they really liked on Friday, and I guess lots of actors left that room on Monday feeling shitty, like they didn’t even want them to be there. Well, duh. If they found people they really liked on Friday, why even bother to bring us in on Monday?! And why bother to bring in actors if they’re going to make us feel like they don’t even want us there?!
Now, I know I probably shouldn’t say this, because in the entertainment industry, nobody is supposed to say obvious and truthful things, like Tom Cruise sucks, or James Cameron is an epic A-hole and Michael Bay is a complete hack, but here’s some information from The Inside(tm):
This happens all the %$@!^ing time. Actors prepare their guts out for an audition, only to get there, wait an hour or longer (SAG says they’re supposed to pay us like 30 bucks or something if we’re there longer than an hour, but if an actor actually asks for that he will be blacklisted by that casting director, so nobody ever does), and go into a room where producers are on the phone, or looking through paperwork, or doing just about everything in the world except paying attention to the actor who is auditioning for them.
Most of the time, the person who is reading with you is so overworked, he or she doesn’t take the time to learn what the scene is about, and reads the other lines in the scene with a flat, monotone disinterest that throws off the best of us. I guess what most of them fail to realize is that the best acting is reacting, and it’s tough to react to complete and utter disinterest.
A notable exception to this rule is Tony Sepulveda, who casts at Warner Brothers. He is one of my absolute favorite casting directors to read for, because he ALWAYS makes me feel welcome and comfortable, and he ALWAYS knows the material he’s reading. The last time I read for him, he was totally off the script, and even improvised with me. Tony is an incredibly busy man, yet he still manages to find the time to make actors feel welcome. It’s a shame that there’s only one of him.
You know, if I were a producer or director, I would want every actor who comes into my room to feel extremely comfortable. I would want to create an atmosphere where actors are free to feel vulnerable and take chances, and where they are able to do their absolute best work. I would want actors to come before me, and not worry about anything, at all, except showing me their take on the character.
Oh, I’m so living in a dreamworld. That is just not how it is. 4 out of 5 times, I go into an audition, and the people I’m reading for don’t even stand up and thank me for coming in. Most of the time, I’m lucky if anyone other than the casting director even says hello, or shows a remote interest in my being there. I have experienced people taking calls on their cell phones and talking during my audition, taking calls on their cell phones and leaving the room while I’m doing my audition, reading the newspaper, reading their schedule for the rest of the day, talking to another person in the room…it goes on and on.
Good acting comes from an actor who is not afraid to stand there naked in front of a room, and bear their soul to the camera. You’d think that the non-creative philistines who run this bullshit industry would give a shit about that, and try to create an atmosphere where actors can relax and do their best work.
But here’s the truth: these days, most of the people sitting in that room know that their show is going to maybe make it three episodes before the equally-insecure and un-talented people at the network cancel it before it can find an audience, and put re-runs of some shitty reality show in it’s place. And because they know this, they are scared to death, and they don’t trust their instincts, and they project all their insecurities onto the actors who are in front of them.
You know, the audition process for Win Ben Stein’s Money was the most fun I have had in YEARS, and that was entirely because Andrew Golder and the entire group over there told me, from the very beginning, “We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed. We want you to feel free to make mistakes, and not worry about looking bad, because when you can do your best work, it makes us look good.” It made me feel likeI was playing before the home crowd in The Big Game(tm).
So the challenge for me is to somehow get over this terrible enviroment that pervades auditions these days. I have to be able to walk into a room, and not give a shit about them, because they certainly don’t give a shit about me. But that’s extremely hard! I do care about them. I have put time, energy and effort into creating this character for them, and I want to please them! It’s really tough to do my best, when I feel like the people in the room don’t care whether I’m there or not.
Now, maybe I’m insane, but wouldn’t it be better, and easier, and more cost-effective for the studios to put actors at ease, and make us feel like they do, in fact, give a shit about us being there? If they’d do that, actors would be able to do much better work, because they wouldn’t feel nervous and overly scrutinized. Shows would be cast much more quickly, and everyone would go home happy.
But, as I said, I am so living in a dreamworld.
Thought for today:
“If imagination is not set to the task of building a creative life, it busies itself with weaving a web of inner fears and doubts, blame and excuse.”
-Laurence G. Boldt
I feel like that exactly: “It’s really tough to do my best, when I feel like the people in the room don’t care whether I’m there or not.” And I’m not an actor. Just sensitive I guess…
Chalk another similarity up there between “casting in the entertainment industry” and “getting a teaching position at a university.” Just keep hanging in there! 🙂
It’s not like this just on the casting/acting side of the industry… it has spread to other areas as well. It’s tiring, I tell you. The moment people start advancing in their entertainment industry careers, they get cocky and look down their noses at you. It’s ridiculous. People often forget what the task at hand is… to make a good movie (TV show, whatever). They forget that objective and spend most of their time schmoozing and being all “Hollywood”.
This is from my own experience in production, and it’s what I’ve seen. Just IMHO.
it doesn’t surprise me that auditioning sucks so much these days. i think it’s a damn shame that talented actors like yourself must feel so unwelcome, especially when you’re one of the most honest and personable actors i’ve ever seen. anyway, good luck and keep trying cuz you know your fans still love you 🙂
It’s hard enough getting rejections and rude letters from editors in the mail… I can’t imagine having to go through that in person. I imagine acting is a lot like writing in some respects; you’re putting bits and pieces of yourself out there for microscopic examination, and to have it ignored or dismissed as being unimportant just… hurts. I wonder sometimes, don’t these people who act as if they’re doing us a favor (by reading our proposals or sitting in on auditions) grasp the fact that without us they wouldn’t have a job at all? Yes, they have to reject people because there might be 100 really talents people for 1 job, but there’s never a good reason to not give someone who’s pouring their guts out the consideration of attention. It’s simple common courtesy.
Tough luck on the auditions Wil, but keep your fingers crossed for the other one. Believe there are decent people out there, positive thinking etc! Good things will come your way eventually 🙂
To Wednesday, I understand your frustration with HR drones. Speaking as a semi HR person, we’re not all the same! Some of us return calls even 🙂
What’s with the on again/off again comments?
James Cameron may be an asshole, but he sure as hell can make a great movie.
Thanks so much Wil for your heartfelt rant! You are certainly not alone. My sister has two auditions tommorrow, and I printed this out for her. I don’t know how you guys do it, she’s dealt with this bullshit for years, and has no intentions of giving up (I respect her for that). I think your words will put a smile on her face, even if the auditions don’t!
I am sorry you had a bad audition. I hope the other one worked out for you. That was rude what they did to you. I know how it feels. My twin and I waited in line for three hours for some modeling thing. When it was time for us to walk on the run way all they kept doing was talking about the girls infront of us. It was a modeling audition and I vowed I would never audition for a company like that again. I am sorry they made you feel like crap. You shouldn’t feel that way your a great actor. I am not saying this cause your my favorite actor. So don’t give up keep on going.
I can only hope it’s not as bad in Children’s Television…
Tom Cruise bites! That’s why we all love you, Wil.
And heck, I’m sure if you ever get too poor, you can always make money shaking an older Crusher behind for fangirls. Meriko would pay, wouldn’tcha, girl?
I am SO sorry to hear you and others after preparing and coming to the auditions get treated not only un-professionally but badly as well, especially in terms of having to keep silent for fear of being black listed.
Hearing that kind of makes me want to get into your industry just so I can treat people nice. *smirk*
Best wishes to you and other actors, especially those that are in organizations trying to help each other out. And I hope something good comes out of that second audition.
Clue80 said: “Wil you should have went camping instead!”
That’s what I did this weekend! And you know, to me, being scrutinized by a pack of 11-year-olds is more nerve-wracking to me than a room full of disinterested casting directors.
They’ll actually tell you that they think the masterpiece of an activity that you threw your heart and soul into preparing for them “totally sucks.”
My first (and only) equity audition (it was for Fiddler on the Roof), I was so psyched for. I walked in, had a headshot and resume, a song that was in my range… No one acknowledged my presence. No “whenever you’re ready” nothing… I sang the song terribly. It was “Smile” – you know – “Smile, though your heart is aching…” How apropos. At the end of the audition, the director looked at my resume. Looked up at me. I had an age range on there – a technique I’d snagged from some “how to audition” book… “Kimberly, how old are you?” “Fif-fif-fifteen.”
Boom, end of audition. I say thank you, I leave. I’ve only done community theatre since, and that minimally. People are too cold. Grr.
I just have to say this. I liked Wesley Crusher. I watched star trek TNG because of you Wil. I know that is probably bad but it is true. I also think that they should have had more episodes about Wesley. I also thought your character should have saved the ship more. I thought they could have made him a little rebeliouse. I kbnow I spelled that wrong.
I don`t know if Wil will ever read this, but i just wanted to say: never give up! Keep doing what you love – this is true for every industry. And if you don`t love what you do – do something else. Health and Happiness, shanni
Big *hugs* to Wil.
I’m sorry your auditions turned out so poorly 🙁 I can’t imagine how tough it is to have to go to these auditions and suck up to people who are so disrespectful.
I’m sorry. 🙁
KB
Wil even though I am not in your profeesion..I can relate in a way. It is hard trying to sell yourself. As an artist your selling something that is in someway apart of you. So when people don’t give acknowledgement even if it is just simple politeness can be depressing. But what keeps me going is just the though that bigger and better things are ahead. And possiably if I had gotten that job I would have missed out on the better one. Wil your an awsome guy from everything you have on this site and just what I have saw of your work. You will land yourself something big soon. Look at all of these people who flock to your blog. It is great.
Maybe you should pull a ‘nilla ice’ on them and bring a baseball bat to every auditon. If they don’t live up to your expectations, smash everything in site until they call in a couple fat guys to throw you out. Then go crash on Lenny Kravitz’s couch in a booze induced stupor. Or maybe not….
Seriously the only thing you can do to ‘fight the man’ is be completely oblivious to what they do… live in a zen like state and do your best performance as if the casting director IS making you feel comfortable. Try to react as if he IS reading the lines like he gives a shit. Maybe you can tear their attention away from their cell phones and newspapers. Maybe that’s the real test they are putting you though…. To see who can perform in the worst of circumstances. Of course this would be really hard to do… but, you can’t change them… they make the rules… you just gotta play the game. Perhaps if you pictured them all naked or something… (if you could keep from laughing).
I’ve seen stuff I thought you were very good in. You have talent and I admire what you have done with your web site. I can’t think of another actor who maintains their own website with the kind of intelligence and witticism I see here. I hope things work out well for you.
Hey, I hope you read this too…. cause I hate writing shit for no reason 😉
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”
Thomas Alva Edison
Wil,
This is probably going to sound strange, but as an actor myself (still looking for work) I find it difficult to get noticed in an audition. Perhaps a great way for you to get noticed when a casting director is too busy to pay attention to you is to force the issue. Tell the blow-hard, “Excuse me… I’m trying to audition up here.” I would hazard a guess to say that 99 times out of 100 you won’t get the part, but if they aren’t paying attention to you, then what does it hurt? Have I mentioned that I haven’t had a paying gig since 1995?
Will wurk 4 fuud!
Brad
I live in a dream world too Wil. There’s alot of people out there that just don’t give a %#*$ about anything or any one. It’s depressing for all us careing people but we just have to ceep our head up.
Don’t worry about what some big producers say Wil. If they can’t tell from your part in “Fag Hag” that you are an A-Grade actor, then who needs them? You could always take up donations to keep this site up so us losers have a place to go. Hell, I’ll chip in 5 bucks.
Where there’s a Wil, there’s a way!
I loved your comments about Tony Sepulveda, and I heartily agree. I complained a bit ago about working at Universal, but he was one of the good things! He’s an ex-guide, and very kindly hosts a casting seminar there for tour guides every summer, teaching them audition techniques, and even brings sides for us to prepare quickly and read for him, and then gives notes. I’m not an actor, but I went anyways, just to check it out, and he was really great. Very informative and helpful. He also tries to remember guides and throws a little work their way when he can.
Also, word on the Cameron A-hole mention. I have a friend that writes for Dark Angel, and confirms this on a regular basis. This industry we work in constantly shocks me with its fairly even balance of the best and worst of people. Thanks, Wil, for being one of the goodies!
Thanks for your honesty Wil! I’m the type of dude who (practically) worships the cinematic arts, continually dreaming of being in shoes like yours. But after hearing your truths, it definitely sheds a new light on the subject. Project Greenlight shown a similar (unflattering) light on the mechanics of ‘the industry’.
If there’s any upside, soon it’ll be impossible to stem the tide of low-budget indie films (maybe another 10yrs at most). Then the chasm between the ‘hip’ kids, and the ‘old’ will be as obvious in film-production as it is in music today.
Keep pluggin Wil. You’re a very gifted & talented dude. You’ve given provocative performances that made even this hombre cry.
Hopefully I’ll get to work with you some day [on a creative indie film].
Captain of the Enterprise!
I was just wondering…. can’t you and your buddies start your own production company or something? Write a script, make the movie, and market it? That could definately get the attention of those idiots who give us bad movies like Collateral Damage and Angel Eyes (just saw both and regretted it).
It’s no wonder that I’m now looking at British and French movies to see something new and non-generic. The 2 Taxi movies (hilarious!) and Brotherhood of the Wolf are great examples of movie making. Pity not too many people has seen it. (Saw it in a local film festival).
Dude, make your own movie… write!
Wilbabe,
Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and tingly inside knowing that all of us are adoring you, sending you MOJO and generally thinking happy thoughts for you! :o)
How many other actors can say they have an entire community rallying around them like you do? ;o)
You rock, studboy.
Is it as bad for writers as actors? My brother is putting the finishing touches on a script he hopes to sell somehow out in LA come summer. He thinks he can get Harry Knowles to read the thing and …
sorry for the bad news wil.
Well, Wil, that sounded like it really sucks out there for actors. I’ve long heard that writers get pretty shitty treatment as well (can I say ‘shitty?’)
My point is that this suckiness really comes out on the screens, both big and small. I would have a very hard time naming 5 movies or TV Shows that I actually would like to watch regularly.
I myself have had stage experience, acting and singing throughout all my school years (right up to high school graduation.) I so dearly loved these two crafts that I do not know if I would ever become involved in either one ever again.
As an actor, I’d have to go through what you went through, Wil.
And as a singer … With the explosion of boy bands, a fella like me hasn’t a shot in hell.
I am having auditions flashbacks I dont like ’em! I stopped auditioning back in 1999 because I didnt like the fact that they treat you like your a virtual character like in Sim City or The Sims. I finally did a huge audition no no and asked why I wasnt going to be hired even though they clearly enjoyed my performance. (It was for a comedy pilot and they were practically pissing their pants laughing. They told me my perofrmance was awesome but that no one was writing scripts for a person like me (plus sized lady talking here). I fell between the bumbling stereotypical laugh- at- her- fat girl and the bold brassy hard ass plus sized lady (ex= Cameron Manheim). In other words I was a normal woman and couldnt be used so I decided I would wirte my own scripts.
My point is its tough out there but Wil I know your talent, I’ve seen it for years and I know the perfect role will be coming for you shortly. I also know you’ve been writing and that helps too. Spread your wings man!!! You’ll have it all. And like a few people have said here in the comments section, when I am in the position to cast someone in a film I would be honored to have you come in if the script interests you.
P.S I loooove Pee Wee’s Big Adventure!!LOL cool title.
I guess everyone else has given their words of encouragement, but I was moved to throw in my puny two cents.
No one should have to go through the audition process being made to feel worthless; you’d think that in a line of work based on creativity and the expansion of mind and limits everyone would treat each other with the respect they deserve. From one dreamer to another: if everyone settled in a reality where people were dismissed as superfluous, we’d be back in the dark ages. There’s nothing wrong with a little idealism, damnit! It keeps you pushing for change, even while those cell-phone wielding producers find their lives meaningless and empty.
Okay, so that tangent probably didn’t make you feel any better. But hey – you’ve got an awesome site and a great sense of humor. And I didn’t even hate Wesley. *nods as though this holds all the importance in the world*
Best of luck.
Hey! Who’s the other Dani posting here! harumph!
Anyhow, Wil, I’m sorry to hear about the crap you have to put up with. I would love to be an actor, but I think the audition process would be the end of me. To have to go into a room, emote your heart out, and to be reject 95% of the time. Egad! I can’t image how hard that would be on your self-esteem.
Good luck on the second audition … I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you …
Sell out, do car commercials. I’m surprised no one’s called you yet to do some cellphone ad.
Frankly, I’m shocked at the lack of initiative shown by the entertainment industry in the efforts to bring in Wesley Crusher: Borg Queen.
Sorry you didn’t get the call backs. I’ll send out some mojo 24/7 from now on, just so you’ll have some ready when a new opportunity arises. (It is now 1:35am EST.)
The people behind the table wouldn’t know talent if it flew screeching across the room and attached itself to their necks.
Don, best of luck to your brother, but he should go there realizing that everyone in Hollywood has a script. You go to McDonald’s there and the cashiers ask “Would you like a script with that today?” He should work hard at trying to sell it, yes, and who knows, maybe Harry Knowles might have some contacts, but he should look into things like having an agent who can help him.
*sigh* Sometimes it makes you wonder why you bother, doesn’t it? I did some auditions where I felt like part of a cattle call. By the time I got in there, they were tired, distracted, and just plain not interested in being there anymore. I mean, come on, what’s acting if no one is watching?
But you know what? F*** ’em… you went through all the steps and you CARED. If they didn’t care enough to pay attention to you, then they missed something wonderful… and that’s THEIR loss, not yours.
How do you do it Wil?
I don’t know that I could stand it. Its been rough reading the site and getting excited for you and then hearing shit like this. But thanks. The blog review said that these things make us (readers) feel closer to you. It does. And I don’t mean it in a “wil’s my real friend”-stalker way, but in the way any good work makes you feel closer to the artist. And though you may not consider the blog acting or art etc, it is damn good writing, and you put a lot of work in. It good because it’s honest and open.
The acting world sounds a nightmare! Its good that you have people around you that love you, and many thousands that love to hear from you on a daily basis. I’m a psychiatric nurse (which requires me to put myself out there on a daily basis, at risk of personal attacks, physical and otherwise)and I do not know what I would do if I was repeatedly put in the position of auditioning.
I love the site and I love “the good things”. I can’t wait for more from you. I’ll even go and see nemesis.
Chin up, buster.
Hold onto to those seven things…
shaun
Good quote.
I am getting all paranoid now. I SWEAR this thread
was not up last night..I use (GASP) AOL..IF that
would make a difference here…but SOMETHING
SPOOKY is going on …
I am sorry you did not get the parts..however
everything happens for a reason.(yeah I hear ya’all moaning) Something BETTER will come along.
PROMISE.
Maybe instead of Mojo we send some sort of zap to the casting directors ass or something..
just a thought
Got to meet JB Wil.
Holy hot damn. That man is so cool.
Smells good too.
sleep goooood.
sean astin cool.
Wil is cool.
don’t ever doubt it you’ll get “that part”
-MKF
“Why are you writting my script Miss Kitty?”-JB
Wil,
Are you just now figuring this stuff out? I’m not trying to bash you, but come on! That is exactly the reason I got out of the business. Didn’t matter how good I was or how prepared you were, most directors had their mind made up before I ever got there. But I’ve got to give you credit, you still hang in there. It’s a shame that the good guys never make it. Rock on brother.
You know, if I were a producer or director, I would want every actor who comes into my room to feel extremely comfortable.
Um, Wil. This may be a stupid question, but why aren’t you that director or producer? I know you love acting, but maybe your calling is in something else. Start the revolution. I am sure there was a time when George Washington thought “If I were the ruler of a nation…” I am sure there was a day when Buddha thought “You know, if I had my own religion…”
Which is worse, not knowing there is something wrong with the system or knowing and not doing anything about it??
Just a though, I am most likely talking out of my ass. 😉
Condolences on not getting the part, Wil. *hugs*
It will happen for you yet.
I think that everyone dreams of being an actor, of being on the big screen, of having the wealth and fame, and of traveling the world and having everyone know your name. The big difference is that most of us don’t make it past the front door in following that dream.
You’re different. You’ve taken those steps. You’ve had the balls to stand in front of those people and give your very best. That’s saying a lot. Your time will come.
I’m a little off topic here, but hear me out… 🙂
I just linked you in a blog entry of mine, as well as WS, and mentioned that you’d spoken with his webmaster, and that it was all the big cheese, minus spelling edits by the webmaster.
I linked your weblog, and I linked you at IMDB- and noticed a travesty.
You don’t have an IMDB headshot on file?
Is this intentional, or just a grave, grave oversight? 🙂
-Rick
Uncle Wil is camera shy?????
I’m still in the stands, too bad the umps are close enough that I could shout obsentities during the big game.
Wil,
FWIW, I’m a writer, but I know some of the same frustrations you have experienced when my own creative work is treated less than respectfully by the people who are paying me to do it.
When I’ve been involved in securing the services of an actor (for voice-overs and narrations) I’ve always tried to be so polite to the agencies and make the actors as comfortable as possible.
What I usually get in return from most actors is friendly cooperation and outright enthusiasm. What I’ve sometimes gotten from agencies is attitude — when they bother to return calls at all.
That being said, there *are* nice people in Hollywood, at some of the agencies, and in some of the facilities around the country where I’ve done work. The willingness of the *great* folks is often just the tonic needed after a disappointing experience with one of the jerks of the profession. But, this is true of any profession and business community.
My point here is to remember the folks who are nice (Frakes, Stewart, Astin, et al). Their friendship and professionalism can help lift your spirits, and sometimes your talents.
Remember also that the jerks are their own worst enemies.
Wil,
Sorry to hear how disrespectful they were to you. Please accept the following Perl one-liner as a token of my gratitude for all the things you’ve done, especially crafting the phrase “Uncle Willie went to bootytown”.
—BEGIN PERL ONE-LINER—
perl -e’while (1) { print “mojo “}’
—-END PERL ONE-LINER—-
Now, since you’re a Linux guy like me (but I’m trapped in a WinDoze workplace), set yourself up a cron job to run that whenever you’ve got an audition. Meanwhile, I’ll be sending evil brainwaves in the general direction of Hollywood. Please make sure they are delivered to the appropriate parties.
Best of luck in your future endeavors. You WILL kick ass!
Do you ever feel like just walking away from the movie biz? A person with intelligence, drive and talent can find lots of interesting things to do. You’ve created a truly great website and could, I have no doubt, have a fun, rewarding and stellar career in New Media. As I’m sure you know, it’d offer ample opportunities to continue “building a creative life…”
I’m just wondering.