March 7, 2002
Funny show. Good role. Tough room.
I made it through the first scene and got mostly no laughs. Then they stopped me and asked me to do it again but take my time and don't rush over the comedy. I did it again and slowed down, but I may have slowed down so much that I didn't catch up to the comedy. No laughs again.
That's not really true. The two casting directors in the room, Lisa and Eileen, were supportive enough to laugh and enjoy some of the things I was doing. The two gentlemen in the room, who I assume were the writer/producers of the show, were a little too busy timing out the comedy to enjoy it. So the "no laughs" were coming from their direction.
I don't get that. If you are trying to cast a comedy that you have
written or you are going to produce, why don't you make the
atmosphere for people performing your material a little more
friendly. Don't make the casting people carry the burden. They've
probably seen the scenes 100 more times than you have. Yet while they
are still contributing, you are not. Did I mention that I don't get
that? Well, I don't get that.