October 11, 2000
Leaving the "snoring audition" yesterday, my agent assured me all would soon be right with the world. Though I most likely would not be getting the JAG role, he felt very confident I could nail this role on Grosse Pointe. The part was funny and well-suited to me: an egotistical, over-bearing director who wreaks a little havoc when he directs an episode of the show within the show.
I prepared many pages of sides, knowing full well I wouldn't be asked to do all of them, but not knowing which ones mattered and which ones didn't. Once there, scenes 2 and 4 (out of 5) were established as the important scenes. Scene 2 was one of the egotistical scenes, which went very well, and then scene 4 was the hidden sweeter side. I played it the first time through as if he were a bit of a leech. They didn't like that so much. They wanted to believe him, see his softer side. I did the scene again and tried to hit that. It wasn't until I was walking to my car about five minutes later that the correct tone finally came to me. I could perform it again in my car but I don't think the producers would see me from there.
The glimmer of hope was a "nice job" from the casting associate who read the scene with me. She actually did a great job reading and seemed genuine when she told me the same thing. I keep getting wonderful words and signs of support from people who are simply not authorized to give me a job. Like me. I think I'm great. Now where's my authority? I'd give the job to me in a second.
(Feedback: "Did well. Not the right look.")