Though I’ve written and performed hundreds of hours of sketch and improv comedy, worked on tons of the VH1 “I love the last five minutes” shows, and every episode of What I Learned From the Movies . . . , the belief that I am not funny and can’t handle comedy persists in Hollywood. This means that there’s an extra step in the audition process for me when it comes to comedies, because casting directors won’t let me read for their producers without seeing me first.
It’s a little frustrating, because I believe that my 30 years of acting experience and resume should count for something, but I’m a professional, I understand their reservations, and if the project is good enough, I’ll suck up my pride and do it, well aware that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of actors who would do anything for the same opportunity that I would never dream of complaining about in a public forum like, say, a blog.
Yesterday, I had one of these auditions, for a pilot that had one of the more charming scripts I’ve seen in a very long while. I didn’t know about the audition until I was in Oregon, so my manager FAXed the pages to me (how quaint! I’d left my computer at home so I wouldn’t be tempted to work while we were /away.) It was pretty straightforward, so I did most of my preparation while Anne drove us from Ashland to Sacramento to catch our flight home (this makes more sense than trying to fly into Medford. We’ve done the math.)
I felt confident and prepared, and when I did my song and dance for the casting people, I didn’t stink the place up. I got the feeling from them that I’m not the guy, and I probably won’t be brought back for the producers, but the casting people were awesome, and created an environment where I felt like I was playing in front of the home crowd. I gave them my take on the character, got out of there before I could say something stupid, and really enjoyed myself.
This is something I tell actors all the time: you have to find ways to enjoy auditions, and as hard as it is, as counter intuitive as it is, you just can’t make success or failure about booking the job. You have to make success or failure about enjoying yourself. You’ve got to enjoy the process of creating the character, preparing the audition, and then giving the people on the other side of the desk whatever your take on the character is. You absolutely can not go in there and try to give them what you think they want. The way you stand out, and the way you enjoy it whether you are hired or not, is to take the material, prepare it, and find some way to make it your own. Even if you don’t book the job (and the ratio of auditions to jobs is something like 20:1 for successful actors) you’ve been creative. Casting people will recognize that, and even if you’re not right for this particular job, they are more likely to bring you in for other parts, because they’ve already seen you take a creative risk.
This dovetails with some advice one of my acting teachers once gave me: auditioning can’t be the only place an actor has to get the creative monkey off his back. Acting workshops, live theater, sketch and improv shows, and other non-competitive performing environments are vital creative outlets for actors who wish to retain any sort of sanity. Having these places to perform does more than keep your skills in shape; it should take some of the importance away from auditions, letting you get out of your own way so you can enjoy the process.
frist! *squeee!*
(Apologies for that, but the inner fanboy failed save Vs. sillyness)
And now for something completely different…
How is it possible that people still don’t think you can do comedy?
Have they not:
a)Read your blogs?
b)Read your books? (or even better, Listened to your books?)
c)Seen any interviews of you? In 2 seconds of you on screen, your comedic talent is more than evident!
*Rolls eyes* Really?!?
I also think it’s it cute how you avoided taking your comp with you to avoid work, and it still found you. Happens to regular folks all the time. Nice to commiserate!
Thanks for having such a wonderful attitude to everything!
*smiles*
I am sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you on that audition. Stuff like that sucks. You are not letting it get you down though, THAT’s what’s important.
I’ve gotten to the point where I enjoy the adrenaline rush of auditioning almost TOO much. 🙂 I figure “these people will likely never see me again, so I might as well enjoy myself while I’m here.” And I do. And it’s fun. And I’m “on the shortlist” more often than not, just not “the guy.”
But at least I had fun!
Clay
I had another in a long line of “I really do live in LA now” moments yesterday. I read your tweet about the audition during the afternoon. When I got home last night my wife told me a friend of ours had called excited about meeting you at that audition. Every time something like this happens I feel like I’m in an alternate universe. Thank you for contributing to the surrealism of my day.
I can’t speak to TV necessarily, but here in the theatre the biggest problem with auditions is that a distressing amount of people end up getting cast who are great at auditioning but not that good on stage.
This is why I almost never have auditions for my theatre company – Wil’s sound advice to actors aside, it’s SO hard to get people’s best work in an audition setting. They get nervous, aren’t 100% solid on the material, whatever. I avoid holding auditions like the plague; I’ve always much preferred to just go see whatever shows the people I’m interested in are working on and see them in action. You get to see people when they’ve got all engines firing (so to speak) and you don’t have to waste an entire Saturday afternoon.
In five years I’ve gotten lucky precisely twice with cattle call auditions, and them ain’t great odds. I mean two PEOPLE, not even two shows. Oy…
(Frist?!?
Whas’t wrogn wtih benig sceond?)
At least this audition got a chance to shock that monkey.
Obviously the nature of the pilot must remain hush-hush. c’est la vie.
This is exactly why I do so many non-paying independent and student films here in Austin. It’s like “going to the gym” for me. While it’s great to get paid for our work, I’d rather be flexing my acting muscles with some non-paid project than sitting at home doing nothing. I’m almost always juggling several projects at once and I love it. I love to work. And you never know where the connections you make are going to lead! Gotta love our business. The business of rejection.
This concept made me think of how Gary Jones got his job on Stargate SG-1. Gary is a really funny guy, but he auditioned for a really boring mostly-background role. (He was one of the technicians who announced that the “chevrons” were locked or engaged while the Gate was being dialed.) Anyway, Gary is now a legend with Stargate fans because his willingness to be creative with that audition. He was way too funny for the role, but the producers liked *him* because *he* stood out during the audition. He got the job and had to play the role very straight, but it led to Gary being on most of the shows throughout the 10 year run of the show. He has been on several of the DVD commentaries, had a not-frequently-updated blog on “Gateworld.” He’s even made one or two appearances in the Atlantis spin-off and been in both Stargate direct-to-dvd movies. Now, similar to you, Wil Wheaton, he’s using those blog postings as the foundation for show-biz related memoirs. I definitely believe that success should be measured by more than just getting the gig.
@Michael Krzyzek: that’s awesome. I met a couple of very funny, very friendly, very calm actors while I was waiting. How random that you know one of them, and read my blog.
I think I had more fun sitting in the waiting room with them than I had in the actual “job interview” portion of the job interview.
How would your image of an ideal director create an atmosphere that encouraged you do this?
I just wanted to remind everyone that Criminal Minds episode “Paradise” starring our favorite author is on
tomorrow night. Check your local listings for time and channel.
I am really looking forward to your episode Wil.
I hate when I preview my post and it looks fine but when it posts it looks like above.
Yes, flying into the tiny Medford airport is rather expensive. My parents do the same thing; fly to Sac and then drive up here.
Do you remember the name of the shop that had those calaveras in it?
@Joe Collins: it was a travel shop on Main Street in downtown.
So, now you’re not edgy AND not funny? Obviously these people are crazy.
/Always nice to read one of your auditioning themed entries.
//Hope you get some good news about the audition.
///I haven’t really got a good third slashie comment so I’ll just mention that your episode of Criminal minds is on tomorrow. w00t.
Wil, What kind of acting jobs are you interested in? Would you like to be a regular on TV series? Would you like to be in another movie? Are there any particular shows you would like to be on, or roles that you would like to play?
I know you need to get caught up on work, so no worries if you don’t have time to answer.
@Wil: Yeah, I thought it might be Travel Essentials. I actually work at another shop right down the street. Glad you enjoy visiting our little town:)
@BrentMc: It depends on the character, the story, and other factors like that.
I’d just like to do something that is quality, memorable, fun to work on, and something I can be proud of.
For a long time, I didn’t think I wanted to do a series again, but after working on Criminal Minds, I totally remembered all the great things I love about being part of a cast. Also, not having to worry about steady employment, paying bills, and putting food on my family is a bonus.
@Wil Thanks for the reply. My first Wil reply woo hoo!
I am looking forward to seeing criminal minds. Thanks for the twitter reminder. I have never seen the show before, so this will be completely new to me.
Please have people click on the following http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfhKkO1fbq4 for some wonderful comedic acting… “Mooshy Shorts” I believe is the spelling.
“You have to make success or failure about enjoying yourself.” great advice. seriously, that’s going to be my mantra the next time i’m in a casting office.
Good advice.
Oh my b’gods, Mooshy Shorts is hilarious! I pees and poops from the funny.
@Wil If it were me I would put the food on the table. Fewer laundry stains that way. Sorry I couldn’t help it. I make typos like that all the time.
Wil, why do I think that this great advice applies to more than acting? Like say for instance, getting off one’s arse and putting a gallery show together or starting a rubber stamp business? Publishing an art book.
And would you please e-mail my brother and tell him how to properly measure success?
Oh… and to the SG-1/Gary Jones fans… Leave it to Landry to point out what we all were thinking for 9 years. Walter “Radar” Harriman.
thanks Wil for sharing.
I am a 36 year old father of a 6 year old darling girl who is and has been auditioning down in the L.A. area for various commericals, shows, etc. and while it is very entertaining to see her perform and learn and see how somehow – she just gets it – it is also frustrating being on the receiving end of the ‘the other guy’ or ‘2nd choice’ from the casting personnel.
My daughter enjoys the process and as long as that keeps occurring (and her grades/studies don’t suffer) we will keep forging ahead.
I see my wife becoming saddened by the auditioning process and I recommended to her that she listen to your audio book (Just A Geek) because a lot of what you say is right on!
Keep on writing – keep on auditioning.
Thanks,
Bill Teeple
San Jose
When ever I have to do things in front of people like that (such as public speaking), and it takes all of my skill, energy, and focus, I have a mantra that I repeat as I prepare:
Dance, monkey, dance.
As an actor, I have to say that I agree with this advice 100%
(And grabbing a slurpee after the audition can be fun as well, especially if you pay for it with loose change, like you did in Jr. High.)
~j
To continue Isisgate1’s point, if that’s okay:
Writing, for instance. If your only objective is to get widely published, and your every word is chosen according to what you think the editor wants it to be, you’re not likely (I’d guess) to shine, and even if you do “succeed”…what a bleak, bleak existence.
Turns out Criminal Minds was on in HD here in Canada tonight. I won’t say anything other than I really enjoyed your performance Wil
and I appreciate your talent.
Thank you!
@ ColleenS
Yet another example of why Canadians are superior in every way, shape, and form.
*cough* 🙂
<--- from Canada 🙂
Wil said: “you have to find ways to enjoy auditions…”
Back when I did theater lighting semi-professionally I knew an actor who got this concept – He was short pudgy late 40s guy and he auditioned for “Gypsy” by doing the “Bump it with a Trumpet” part from the song “You Gotta Have A Gimmick.” He had the guts to wear a gold bikini for the audition. He got the part of Herbie.
Thats really good advice.. thanx Wil! im an aspiring actress and i havent really got to go to places to audition yet, but i will keep that in mind. And if i ever become famous i will mention that you helped me if you want me to!! I really try to mimmick some of the stuff you do because i think that you are a VERY talented actor, (you are my favorite actually!) and i try to get help from wathcing you in movies and stuff… x’s and o’s!
Wil,
To me, comedic acting is the hardest to perform. I hope your audition went well. Remember that one mans joke is another mans hell. Some people say that when a person is offended that this is good comedy. I do not like to offend but this is just another reason why comedic acting is so hard to perform.
Wil,
Just wondering… wouldn’t it really grind a person’s gears to be overlooked for a part you auditioned for and then stumble over someone else’s (inferior-seeming) performance some time down the track, maybe when channel-hopping? Even happened to you?
This post reminds me of the opening sequence from Tootsie.
“You have to make success or failure about enjoying yourself.” – This is great advice for anyone, at any time. If you can’t enjoy yourself @ work, @home, @ LIFE then you need to re-evaluate what you’re doing. Life’s to short to not enjoy yourself.
I’ve been acting here in Austin for near 15 years, and I have to agree that the most important thing in an audition is to have fun. Whether you’re going to get cast or not comes down to so many things, many of which are totally out of your control. If you’re having fun, chances are you’re doing your best work, and even if you don’t get cast, at least you had fun…