THE R-E-E-L DEAL

Some of you may have been wondering where I was last week, since I did not post a blog. Well, the answer would be stuck at Washington Dullas International Airport, during what turned into a long and event-filled Jet Blue adventure, en route to Burbank, CA.

When I finally arrived back at my apartment on the west coast, my Internet was not working for reasons my cable and Internet provider could not understand. So, on top of being a bit overwhelmed with people in town visiting, mini trips around Los Angeles and as far as Santa Barbara, celebrating Birthdays and my parent’s 35th wedding anniversary, I was unable to get online to post. Fear not, because I am now not only back in LA, but back on the World Wide Web as well…what ever did we do before it!

Since my last FIB post, something that came in handy for me as an actor was having an acting reel. That is a short DVD that showcases a variety of moments from your work as an actor that can be used to show to those in the industry when they want to know more and see you in action, so to speak. As an actor, you really never know when someone out there might become aware of you and make a simple call to your agent inquiring about you. With a reel, your agent quickly can show them more.

There was such a request for my acting reel that happened while I was on my way to Washington D.C. So, with the help of my amazing dad, I put together one with my most recent work on it and overnighted it to my agent in LA, so she could get it to casting as soon as possible. In this case, a simple, short, but catchy reel, paid off. From it casting was interested in seeing me for two different series regular roles in a new HBO series pilot. Next thing you know, I was reading the creative and entertaining script for the pilot episode. This allowed me to familiarize myself with the show and characters, before learning my sides for each character.

As I always say, it is so important as an actor to take each opportunity presented to you, be as prepared as possible, and then simply do the best you can. You really never know when that one role that fits may find you; and, in this industry, often it only takes one. You just have to be persistent and keep as positive an attitude as possible, while also realizing the reality of it all, because some things are truly out of your hands. That is the name of the game in this wonderful biz called show!

In this case, I was given the opportunity to choose between two characters for which to audition. I personally related to both, their style and even to the location, in some ways, but to one more so than the other. For that one, I found the words of the writer easily flowing from the page to my mouth. I honestly think she has the ability to grow and gain even more layers than she already has been given, if the show becomes successful and moves forward. That would be so exciting to take on as an actor and something most, if not all of us, dream of one day having the chance do.

I realize that either character would be big shoes to fill for someone who is as relatively unknown as myself, and I am well aware of the “ins and outs” of the industry, the odds, etc. The fact is that both roles have most likely already been offered to a known name out there or will be before all is said and done. Either way, it is a chance to meet new casting directors, act and be seen, even if it ends up being for just those few minutes.

In the end, each successful actor has had that one audition that changed his or her career. Therefore, each audition we are lucky enough to get has the potential to be that “one audition” for us. It was my acting reel that opened the door to this audition itself, and perhaps it will be the audition we as actors wait for that becomes the REEL deal…you simply never know!

 

“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” - Abraham Lincoln