Tales from the Audition Room: Part 4

Back when I was 22 yrs old, (which was yesterday, obviously,) I cast my very first ultra low budget feature. The producer was a friend of mine and the script was an interesting psychological thriller, being directed by the writer, (who was also 22 yrs old, and fresh out of film school.)

We held auditions for the lead roles and some wonderful and experienced actors came in to read for our little $100/day project. Many actors passed or decided to be offer only, but the few who did come in provided an invaluable experience to these budding filmmakers.

One such actress is someone with a long resume, who you would all know and recognize. She came in to read and was terrific; very respectful and gave a great read. I advocated like crazy for her, but my filmmakers were undecided and wanted to do callbacks. (Callbacks on $100/day projects are a hard sell to agents and actors, alike. If it’s a chemistry read, that’s one thing, but to have a callback with the same group of people who were there for the first read… if we can get anybody to come back in, it’s often begrudgingly.)

This actor came back without any sort of complaint. She walked into the room with positivity and calmness, and the director said to her, “thanks for coming back. We just want to try a few things.” She said, “Great!” and then crouched down a few feet in front of him while he explained what he wanted to do. She listened closely, asked a few clarifying questions and then stood up and performed his notes brilliantly. I’ve always remembered that behavior – she physically put herself in a position where she had to look up at him. It wasn’t that she was being obsequious or suggestive, she was giving him the feeling of being the one to listen to. (And there could have been a multitude of reasons she did this – get her blood pumping, for one – but whatever her reasons, this move gave the impression that she was actively ready to get his notes and implement his ideas.)

This woman had years of experience on all of us – her credits far outweighed all of ours (combined,) and without question, she had been on about a zillion more sets and through hundreds of more auditions than the rest of us. But for the five minutes that she was in that tiny room for a callback on an ultra low budget feature by a brand new director, she made all of us feel as though we were the most important filmmakers she’s ever worked with, and that she was there to be an instrument in our symphony. It instilled in all of us a newfound confidence that we employed through the rest of the project, (and for me, far beyond this particular feature.)

I have remembered that woman and that moment since then. I’ve tried to hire her (or at least audition her,) as often as I can. Any actor with that kind of kindness, openness and respect for others is someone ANY of us would be lucky to work with.