What went right:
- I remembered to put up the cold reading BEFORE the auditoin so people could read them and not stutter.
- I was overly polite, but not to the point were they thought they had the role for sure.
- I didn't have to rush to get an audition form done.
- People had a good attitude and enjoyed doing a warm-up as a group before the things started. It helped them feel less competative and comfortable about auditioning for me.
- I didn't go insane.
What went not right:
- Some douche bag took down all but one of my audition posters.
- Twelve people showed up for a cast of six. I mean, hey, that's like a fifty/fifty shot of getting cast if you audition, right. So cool for the actors, shitty for me.
- Festival bent me over and made me wait nearly a week before I could have callbacks.
- The audition space was locked when I went to have callbacks. Remember to sign things out. And then you should assume that if it's a weekend, it's going to be locked anyway. I miss you Bob.
- People will always tell you that they will audition and then not show up. Trust no one.
That being said I hope you can learn from my pain, or at least brace yourself for the impending doom.
Um.... and I'd also like to throw out there that the problem of not being able to cast your show in the spring has been a wretched whore for years now and I don't know why we don't just do the Directing Studio shows in the fall.
Jack- It was very interesting to read this blog about your auditions. Andy and I had ours not this past sunday but last sunday. It was funny to compare and contrast yours to ours. I think it was a very good idea to do a group warm up. I hadn't even thought about doing that, but as you said it turned out to be very beneficial for you. It's too bad that you didn't have the turn out you wished for, but I hope you are happy with your cast. I had the opportunity of reading some of your script and I think the dialogue is great. The 1950's lingo is hilarious and it’s great to see two polar opposites in the twins. I think you have a great show and a great cast to work with and I'm very excited to see your ending product.
ReplyDeleteRaped in the face? Is the name of your blog also a comment on being a director? Sounds about right.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your cast!
I agree with Vikki - raped in the face is the perfect name for a directing blog.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, so I took some of your advice - made multiple posters in case some douche bag tears them down, I have forms already, I booked the MPR on a weekday, and I'm planning on doing a group warm up (although what yet, I have no idea. Coming up with warms ups was always a bad spot for me. I might steal 'awkward bench' from your auditions.)
As you have stated, people didn't show up. I'm bracing for the worst scenario there. I'm hoping that I won't have that much of an issue, but if I do, we might need to do a director-bonding session at the bar - just saying.