Last Week's Auditions

I don't want to jump the gun, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't get jobs for which I auditioned last week. Had initial meet and greet on Tuesday for a TV hosting gig that would shoot in 13 locations globally, to raise awareness on green-friendly travelling. Won them over with my involvement in Gawad Kalinga, my experience in the Philippines, and of course, my charming demeanor :P. Got the call-back on Wednesday.

The call-back was supposed to be an on-your-feet type of audition in front of the camera. Learn material about a specific location from information they provided, introduce the location with poise and grace, and a little hook, then mock-interview an expert on the green, tourist spot.

On the interview, I over- and under-prepared. I over-prepared a written introduction, trying to remember verbatim what I wrote, without allowing for flubs and winging it. Result, I choked on the intro, after putting tons of pressure on myself to get it right. After three or so takes, I streamlined it, then went into the mock-interview. That part went great, showing them that I did all the research, and was able to ask informative questions to a local expert - the local expert being one of their producers who had traveled to the pre-determined location.

After the interview, I segwayed beautifully into the next imaginary segment. Smooth and controlled. I wish they could have overlooked the intro, I just happened to be the first auditioner of the day, and I was a bit cold. My fault, of couse. Plus, in my experience, when taping in the field or on location, you always screw up, and it's okay. You tape it again, and they edit it later. My problem is that I didn't laugh it off. I looked stressed.

Oh well. Past is past, and at least the casting director saw me. I got this one through my agent, that my lovely wife helped me to acquire.

Second audition was on Frieday, for a commercial spokesperson of a cable company. I was on camera for a big casting director here in New York, and that made me happy. I've been working with this manager, and he got me the audition. Another acquisition through the Julie.

I'm just happy that I've been auditioning regularly in 2007. It feels good and I know this will be a good year for the both of us.

As far as the prior-mentioned choke... I just started thinking about all the good that this potential gig could do for our life. The travel, the money, starting a family, a step up in my career by acquiring more for my hosting reel. Audition techniques are exactly what I learned at the Academy, and I guess I didn't warm-up or go through relaxation enough. Instead of focusing on the material, I was focusing on the irrelevant personal, that should be wiped away to neutral before I get started in front of the camera.

Live and learn, and next time I'll do better. Plus, the more I audition, the easier it gets. You get to the point where you don't care or expect if anything is going to happen, then you become fearless, because you have no expected consequences. Usually that happens when you audition a lot. It's a don't-care, I-own-the-room attitude that gets you jobs, which has gotten me jobs in the past, and will get me them this year.

I predict fortune's favor for the Filipino flava.

Today, I sit atop the investment bank again, assisting executive bankers, answering phones, reserving cars, printing documents, and eating my homemade lunch at my desk. At least Julie is here today too. There's comfort in shared banking experiences.

I'm still waiting to hear about my potential promotion at the computer store.

I feel like I'm waiting for things to happen that depend on other people. That means I need to make something happen this week. There's my goal.

Also, I've been remembering my dreams a lot lately. I wake up, break them down, analyze the symbols, apply them to my life, and the cycle continues daily. That means I'm in touch with my inner self. That's new-agey talke for I understand what I'm feeling on a daily basis. Good for me. I think I went several months without remembering my dreams.

I'm back, baby! Back to sleep. Back to work. Back to the gym :)