Remember the audition I had last week at Nickelodeon?
I had a crush on this project as soon as I read the breakdown. After I
met the director and grokked what sort of story she wants to tell, I
was hopelessly in love with the project. I really, really hope I get
this job.
I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about jobs after an audition. In fact, I have a ritual where I take my sides, and dump them into the first trash can or recycling bin I find, so I can let go of the whole thing, and put it into the hands of The Universe — or a higher power, like the producers. But this one was different. I felt such a connection with the character, and had so much fun looking at his character model and creating the voice and character it inspired, I thought about the show every day, and called my manager about it several times.
I probably shouldn’t disclose too many details about the story that
I auditioned for, but it is a wonderful, funny, charming animated short
about a geek and a goth who are starcrossed lovers.I’m sure you’re all surprised to hear that I read for the geek. I used my sense memories to recall the Kyra crush
and did my best to be the kind of guy who "you want to take his glasses
off, and mess up his hair, because he’s so cute and he doesn’t know
it," according to the director, who I really, really liked.
Just now, as I was about to make my daily call to see if we’d heard anything, the phone rang (true story). It was my manager.
"Remember [name of project]?" He said.
"You mean the one I call you about every single day?" I said.
"Yes, that one." He laughed. "You got it."
I lept out of my chair and hollered. "What?! Are you serious?!" Which is a stupid thing to holler, because he wouldn’t call me if he wasn’t. "Really? I really got the job?" Which is also a stupid thing to say, but I’m passing this one off on the surge of adrenaline and seratonin my brains released upon receiving the news.
"Yep. I called to see if they had made a decision yet, and [casting executive] told me that she was just about to call me with the news!" He went on to tell me that the director could have picked anyone in the whole world to do this part, and she chose me.
I’m going to say that again: she could have picked anyone she wanted, and she chose me. Man, that feels so good. I mean, it feels tasp good.
I hung up the phone and ran around the house like a hummingbird being chased by a dog that shoots bees from its mouth.
After all the times I’ve written about the audition that went great, but didn’t work out, or the audition that was a lot of fun, but it turns out I’m not edgy enough, it’s so insanely awesome to write about one where I not only had a great time, but actually get to do more than just the audition sides. When this show is animated and released, for the rest of time, I will be the actor who helped bring that guy to life — and I really love this character. I am so excited! Squee!
Anyway, I had a blast reading for this project, and I was so excited
when I left, I totally forgot to steal a camphone snap of the hawesome
four foot tall SpongeBob made out of LEGO in the lobby. If I get the
job, or the next time I’m at Nick, I’ll grab a picture of it on my way
in, because I’m usually skipping with nerdy excitment whenever I’m on
my way out.
I’ll be sure to snag a picture of the giant LEGO SpongeBob on my way in when I record my dialogue next Wednesday or Thursday, and I’m taking a gift to Don, the most awesome security guy ever, who works at Nick and is always so awesome to me when I go there for an audition.
huzzah! :3
Congratulations!
And I don’t know much about managers, but if you ever have a conversation with one that goes something like, “You got the part! Just kidding… they gave it to someone else.” then I think maybe you should fire him.
Just wanted to add my huzzahs to the many you have been receiving. Congratulations! I hope it’s a wonderful experience for you, so that it can be a wonderful experience for US to enjoy as viewers once we learn more about it.
Nicely done! I hope you do something fun to celebrate. You’ve earned it!
Congratulations, Wil!
Can’t wait to see the whole thing unfold. π
Mazel tov! This is highly awesome.
Btw, when you said “Kyra crush”, I initially read that as “Kira crush” and automatically assumed that you meant Kira Nerys. Clearly, I need more sleep. Or something. Maybe it was because *I* had a crush on herβ¦ Anyway.
Congrats, please keep us posted on this highly awesome cartoon thing that I am so going to watch as soon as it comes out.
Hey, Congratulations! Way to go! It’s always a mighty fine feeling when the universe actually chooses to give us something we want. π
Yay for Wil!!
It goes without saying, but you totally deserve this. Because you are Hawesome. (That word makes me gag, but you seem to like it, so, yeah…)
Oh, yeah, you forgot to tell us how the family feels…
Well done Wil!
Congratulations Wil!!!
Huzzah!
Now if only I could see the show without the horrible Danish overdubbing.
Hawesome.
…now if we could just get you hosting that scifi show you auditioned for….
Nuh-icccceeeee!
Congrats, Wil! Dude, everyone’s so proud of you. Rightfully so!
[heh. you said… umm, I got nothin’.]
Start throwing goats!!!
\w/ \w/
YAHOOOO!!!!! YIPPPEEEE! That is wonderful Wil and keep us posted as to the air date. I will be anxious to watch. Many, many kudos to you.
HAWESOME news, Wil. Have fun when you go back to do the recording! Any news on the hosting gig yet?
Congratulations on the Job. I’m a fairly new reader of your blog and am really enjoying it. I recently viewed a video of a book reading appearance at (I think) Gnomedex. It had the William F’n Shatner story at the end. Really enjoyed it and look forward to reading your books. I’m a musician and maybe I can help you come up with a Flying Burrito theme song? Eh??
Congratulations! Keep us posted so we will be sure not to miss it!
π
Rock on! I’ve had a really rough week, and it’s great to hear some good news!
\m/
Wil,
Congrat,I think of you as a friend, even though we have never meet and wish you all the best. I have husband your age,so we see you as a peer and it’s wonderful to see good things happen to you.We have a 4 year old boy, so I know for a fact that he and I will be watching your cartoon together.Good luck.I’ll be sending you happy work mojo.
Congratulations! I know that we don’t really know each other, but thanks to your blog(which I read daily), I feel like I know you at least a little bit. I’m so sincerely happy for you. You deserve it!
Got to add my MUCHO CONGO-RATS!!! I never watch Nick but I will when your show’s on! This is excellent news.
Congrats! Now, will you be playing the goth or the geek? π
Congratulations! They finally realized that you were the perfect geek for the role!
Hawsome!!
Hey Wil, Congratulations!!!
I said I’d keep everything crossed for you. Now I can relax. Ahhhhh…
Woo hoo! Go Wil! Congrats!
Wil, can you take a photo of Don the swell security guard and post it on WWdN?
Way to go Wil!
Congrats Wil!
Congrats, Wil! Score one for the unleet!
WTG WIL!!!11!1
That Rawks \w/ \w/
Suh-weet, Wheaton. This has got to be like cowboys finally holding up!
About time the universe is sending you back the love you give.
Grats and w00t!
I’m married to a **struggling** voice actor who goes on those amazing auditions all the time and then 3 months later hears someone else on the (commercial, cartoon, etc.). He’s now at the point where unfortunatley because of financial reasons he has to leave the dream of being the new (Mel Blanc, Tom Kenney, Daws Butler, Michael Bell, etc.) behind and get a day job. It’s brutal and it sucks. You gotta love a guy for stepping up and supporting his family…
Hit on outta Chavez Ravine for us on this one (And send some good mojo to my guy, too. We really need it!)
Sweet!!! Way to go Wil, I’m thrilled for you. I can’t wait to see the show.
Congratulations, that is totally wicked!
Friggin. Awesome.
HAWESOME!
I gotta add my hawesome to the list. If you can, please give us some behind the scenes details when you go in to record your lines. Thanks
WOOOT!
OMG CONGRATS!!!!
You totally deserve it, after all the hard work you put in. And it helps that you absolutely love the character.
I’m so excited for you, this project… the whole thing!!
Let us know when you can *ahem* release more details! π
Looking forward to seeing (hearing?) you!!! π
Go CubbiesWil!
Congratulations. Great news!
YAY!
Wil, I am so happy for you! π
Congratulations Wil! May this be the beginning of a long string of successful endeavors.
Rock on!!!
Blckbtch
“I hung up the phone and ran around the house like a hummingbird being chased by a dog that shoots bees from its mouth.”
That’s funny. Congradulations!!! I’m so happy for you! You totally deserve this. Right now I have the world’s dorkiest grin on my face for you. I’m excited for you, man!! Go, Wil!! Woohoo!!
Attaboy Wil. I’ll give ya one of these as well. \m/
I literally laughed out loud at the “hummingbird being chased by a dog that shoots bees from its mouth” line.
Sooooooooo, when do we get more details on the project?
Yay! Congrats. What are you going to get Don?
That’s great Wil! Congratulations!!!
First off, congratulations Mr. Wheaton, SIR!
Second, HOLY SPAMBLOGGING! It’s amazing how having a couple good things to write about makes you (both the generic “you” and the Mr. Wheaton, SIR! “you”) want to clear out the cobwebs, become more vocal about what’s going on in general, etc., etc., etc. Just a semi-random observation.
I would hope you would ask the producers if you could provide serious details on your blog. We love teh animated television pictures and can’t wait to hear you. Voice work for animation is like Duke Ellington’s compositions, well-structured, but full of breath and energy and soul. Way to go, enjoy it.
Totally cool! I can’t wait to see it!
Congrats! Wow, becoming a cartoon character for Nickelodeon! You are totally living my childhood fantasy. Well, okay, you haven’t manifested the power of telekinesis, but the voice actor thing puts you close enough, I guess. π