February 22, 2000
I don't really know much about this project. There is no script, so all I could go on were the sides. I was given three scenes for GORDON and told to prepare the first two. The type style suggests that this is a sitcom. The lack of punchlines suggests otherwise. I prepared it as if it were not a sitcom.
I drove down to Culver City in the afternoon traffic and signed in behind ten or so young men waiting to audition. This did not help my mood and made me even more glad I had prepared the scenes as if they were not a sitcom. I decided I would tap into my frustration and go with it.
I went into the room and was told to pick only one of the scenes. Fine. I actually picked the one where GORDON is not yelling, since yelling in a 12'x12' room can be a little uncomfortable sometimes. I did the scene where GORDON finds out his brother is gay. I did not play up any punchlines or comedy bits. Ms. Johnson did not laugh during the reading, nor even crack a smile. Fine. That's what I was going for.
Imagine my surprise when her response to the reading was, "Well, you're obviously very funny, but try it this time..." And so we did it again and I incorporated her note. It didn't really make it any more or less funny, just different. So I still don't really know what they wanted, and I have no idea how I did.
Ah, Hollywood.
Go on to the Callback.