February 11, 2000
On to the next level. This time I would be presenting my unusual approach to a few more people. Added to the mix was the director of the pilot, Andy Ackerman. He's a pretty big name as far as directors goes, having helmed, among others, Becker, Frasier, Wings, Seinfeld, and Cheers. Not a bad resume. Another welcome addition to the room was casting associate Jill Anthony, whom I know. It's always helpful to see a friendly familiar face.
As I stood waiting in the outer office, I could hear the actor before me performing the scene. Actually I think some people in Phoenix could hear him doing it. He was big and wacky and jumping all over the place and doing every single thing that I have decided not to do with the scene. And after a very short moment of questioning my approach, I steeled myself with the belief that if this show is going to be better then last year, better enough to get on the air, then it has to have a very different quality this time around. And jumping around in a state of wackiness is not going to cut it. I had to do it my way and either have them love it or think it was ridiculous and inappropriate. Either way, I would not be swayed by the madness occurring on the other side of that door.
I entered the room and saw the six or so smiling faces. I said a quick hello and then turned my back on them for a second. I couldn't start the scene because I had to laugh. I was hit by this odd feeling of, "I'm about to do an entirely different scene than that last guy. I hope he disappointed you, because if he didn't, I've got a whole bag full of disappointment to share with you." And I turned back and I smiled and I said nothing and we started.
This time the laughs came quickly. Maybe they had been prepared for my reading and didn't suffer from the initial shock so prevalent at the first audition. Or maybe with more people they were more likely to laugh. Or maybe many other reasons you never really understand as an actor standing in an office trying to make a scene funny. But as I walked out of the room with Jill Anthony she whispered to me, "You did something no one else did and it was hilarious."
Well, that was my goal.
Go on to the... Studio Test.