Auditions

Ever since I flew to LA for the first time in March, I've been getting scripts sent to me on a regular basis with parts to audition for. Here's how it works: directors send out the scripts to agencies and management companies, then those individual companies send scripts to all their clients who are right for certain parts. In this case, I'm getting scripts from Endeavor (my agency) and Anonymous Content (my management company). Sometimes I am sent a whole script, and sometimes the production of a film is so secretive that I am only sent what I need to do the audition. I've had the opportunity to read a lot of great scripts. Honestly, I can't wait for these movies to come out.

Some people ask me what the difference is between an agent and a manager. I currently have three agents working for me, and one manager. Basically, agents are working 100% to get me work. My manager, on the other hand, on top of getting me work, also mentors me and holds my hand, in a way. Granted, there's a lot of stuff about the entertainment industry that I'm still a bit unclear about. So, my manager helps me in that sense.

Anyway, back to the scripts.

The scripts are sent to me through e-mail. I then put myself on tape with my mom reading for me. If I think the tape is good enough, then I send it off and hope for the best.

I have a well-respected acting coach that helps me out with a lot of my auditions. I've learned a lot doing my Youtube videos and taking some classes, but I still have a long way to go. Having an acting coach is like a secret weapon. He helps me immensely when trying to find out what the motivation is for a certain character. He helps me find really little things that I would have never picked up had I read through the script myself. It helps to have a second pair of eyes, in that sense.

After doing many, many auditions for the past five to six months, I've gotten two parts out of probably 20 - 30 films that I've auditioned for. This is a good example of how hard it is to break into the business, even if you have the right people behind you. There's a lot of competition out there, and not everyone fits the bill.

Speaking of competition, I'd like to mention that the only "rival" I've come across (and when I say "rival," I'm talking about someone who again and again has been auditioning for the same parts I've auditioned for) is:

Jonah. Effing. Hill.























He's not exactly EVERYWHERE I go, but I can honestly say that I've butted heads with this man for at least four or five parts. I'm not bitter or anything, don't get me wrong. He's a funny guy, and seems pretty cool in real life. I just keep hearing, "Oh, Jonah Hill is also going for that part." He was offered a role in Transformers 2, which I auditioned for. Although, I believe he turned that one down in the end. He and I auditioned for the same part in Night at the Museum 2; he got it. At one point, I even auditioned for a script known only as Untitled Judd Apatow Project. I'm not quite sure why I auditioned. I mean, the strategy, in my position, is to read for anything I possibly can. So, in that case, I read for the part that (inevitably) went to Jonah Hill.

Again, just to clarify: not bashing the guy. Just... dammit.

In the meantime, I'm still auditioning, still being optimistic.

More posts to come.