in this blog post, I'll talk about each audition, why I made it, when it happened, the process, and the outcome. under each link that I've made, I also have a description (here in the blog).....so lets get started!
http://youtu.be/nVEUKHhMF4o (Sketch Comedy Clip) - NOVEMBER
so this clip is about a character I have been working on for a long time. one of my interests in entertainment is sketch comedy and I would LOVE/I DREAM about being on a show like Parks and Rec, Office, etc. personally, I feel that my skills are best suited for comedy, so I like making characters. this character, named DJ NEXT, is a guy who thinks he is good at everything. I used this for a callback for one of the Upright Citizens Brigade (an improv/stand-up school in NYC that Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and many others started. it is like Second City, where I studied improv/sketch comedy). I didn't book, BUT I did hook up with some one of the producers who liked my idea and am now developing a web-series about DJ NEXT, which is slated to be in production in March! a big lesson here that I learned; sometimes it isn't about what you are auditioning for, it is about who is watching.
http://youtu.be/j4k-PNk_InA (Chicago PD Callback) - NOVEMBER
this was a callback I had through a Casting Director in Chicago, for Chicago PD. I have been getting on tape for PD and FIRE a ton because the casting director there has been sending me things that I fit. I connected with her on a talent-seeking trip that my agents took me on where I auditioned, and different CD's/agents see you and if they like you, they call you back and get you auditions, etc. I wasn't cast here but I was close, which is all that matters. it isn't about getting cast, it is about doing the best work you can to tell the best story you can and KEEP GETTING CALLED IN, so eventually you'll be cast. this was one of FOUR videos I made. the first three were my initial callbacks and I was given notes, re-adjusted, and sent it again - this was the final one.
http://youtu.be/QDIYbRTlJSE (Chicago Fire Final Callback) - NOVEMBER
this was a callback I had for Chicago Fire, again through the same casting agency. similar to PD, it was one of a couple videos - this being the last one I sent in. this one was tough; I took it really personally because I thought that I really identified with the role and had done a great job with only two lines. the problem was, I THOUGHT I had done a great job - another lesson learned for me to not take things personally because ultimately, it is just a job and there are thousands of jobs for actors, all the time, and that won't ever stop. taking it personally doesn't help at all.
http://youtu.be/XF_FJHluiL4 (Buddy Holly Story, Swing Rehearsal) - AUGUST
this was a rehearsal for BUDDY HOLLY at the New Theatre, where I played Ritchie Valens. I thought it would be interesting to post a video showing an actual SWING rehearsal. for this production, I understudied/was a swing (an actor who performs when the other can't) for the role of Ritchie. the other guy who played it was from the broadway cast of Jersey Boys, and is incredible - it was an honor to work with such an amazing cast. I booked this one through a fellow KU alum, actually. he was familiar for my work and called me in - subsequently casting me after a couple callbacks. this was a good, lucrative, fun contract. in the room I was asked to sing la bamba and do a monologue, which I did. after this I was given sides and music which I memorized, and took with me to the final callback - where I was cast. ALWAYS MEMORIZE SIDES. EVERY DIRECTOR ESPECIALLY TV/FILM WILL EXPECT SPOT ON MEMORIZATION. NO ROOM FOR LAZINESS HERE.
http://youtu.be/uXkLdRxTAG4 (Tapping for Drowsy Chaperone FINAL Callback) - OCTOBER
this is the second part of a two part final callback I did for the Drowsy Chaperone playing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I had to tap in the room after singing the song, which was interesting because I had to make my own combination. Of course, it sounded better in the room - my wood floors at home are very slippery.
http://youtu.be/x8H-2Qt5Tzg (Cold Feets, Drowsy Chaperone FINAL Callback) - OCTOBER
for this callback, I initially came and sang 16 bars/did a monologue. I have already played Robert, the leading ingénue role of the show, once before, so I sang from the show, tapped, and did a monologue from a similar show. I was called back, where I than performed the song (as chronicled above) and tapped my own combination. I wasn't cast, BUT I was cast in another show they are doing, A Chorus Line. so, once again, it wasn't about what I was auditioning for BUT WHO I was auditioning for.
http://youtu.be/juRgJzpmFAE (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK) - SEPTEMBER
this one was very hard for me. I know Pippin very well, and took it very personally that I wasn't cast. This Pippin was at the Phoenix Theatre, a GREAT regional contract. They were considering me for the Leading Player in Pippin. Initially, I went in and sang from the show - again, I have been in the show twice and am very familiar with it, so it seemed right - and did a monologue. they called me back for Leading Player (I was expecting to go in for Lewis or Pippin) - so they had me prepare these sides, and these songs. NOW, DISCLAIMER - I made these videos BEFORE I memorized the sides. of course when I went in, I was memorized. in the room the room they gave me a couple adjustments, and I made it to final callbacks - where it was between me and a couple very well known broadway stars for the role. I lost out; they said I was too young; BUT they are considering me for a different show in the Fall.
http://youtu.be/jgR6v0HK0pM (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)
http://youtu.be/90qZbliymQk (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)
http://youtu.be/FVuIRJFUmtU (Leading Player, Pippin, SEMI FINAL CALLBACK)
http://youtu.be/v2MsSreNWas (Spring Awakening, I used this video once in the Spring and once in the Fall, both for SEMI FINAL CALLBACKS of the show)
I have been considered and made final callbacks for Moritz in Spring Awakening twice - once at the Coterie in Kansas City, once for a HUGE regional contract in Washington State. I didn't book either but I still have the video I used for my initial audition for both - this video is a video I use for many "video submissions".
KANSAS CITY REP, PIPPIN CLIPS
here are some clips from my first HUGE regional contract starring Mary Testa, Wallace Smith, John Hickock produced my the Kansas City Rep - Eric Rosen, Chase Brock, and Curtis Moore. these are very famous people who were incredible to work with - here are some clips! I was bald back than so.....hahahahaha!
http://youtu.be/t_fXZf8TgOA (behind the scenes with Eric and the cast)
http://youtu.be/XkiocaNfEm4 (Sneak Peek)
http://youtu.be/XkiocaNfEm4 (Sneak Peek)
in my next post, I'll talk about my main HUGE callbacks, two bookings, and moving to NYC.....I hope you enjoyed this post, it is a pretty comprehensive explanation of the audition process for TV, Theatre, and Musical Theatre.
much love,
still,
gil
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