Part II: My Road To Audition And The Destination
Earlier I told you about my chance to audition for a new show called Local, USA on Chicago’s WTTW.
The program will be shot around the city and showcase regional public television feature and independent videos.
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I had spent a few days practicing my script and found I delivered it well if the paper was in my hand and I could glance down every now and again. Unfortunately that script became like Dumbo’s feather. Since the producer said there would be a teleprompter I tried not to worry about it and thought more of how I would speak, not what I’d say.Then, all gussied up in my bright dress on a dreary, wintry Chicago day I headed into the city for my audition. I got downtown about an hour early, and got a bagel and water. Remembering my attempt to cut down on calories I split my bagel with a seemingly down-on-his-luck guy named Nelson.
When I’m nervous I get chatty, so we talked it up for a bit, and he asked me what he could do in return for the bagel. I told him he could pray that things go well with my audition.
“Well I got half a halo and half an horn, so not sure how well it’ll work.” We laughed. “But I’ll do it anyway.”
I went back to my sesame seed bagel and a few minutes later, Nelson said: “I just finished praying for you.”
“Thanks!”
“Now I gotta hope that I pass this test,” he pointed to a worn textbook stuffed with ratty papers. I had to beat back the journalist in me, this Half-Halo-Half-Horn Nelson obviously had an interesting tale to be told. He appeared this/close to homelessness and was studying for a test. A test in what? What was his story?
Before I started peppering him with questions, making myself late to my audition, I picked up my stuff, wished him good luck on the test and headed out the door.
In the taxi ride over, I told the driver that I was going to practice my script and I didn’t want him to think that I was talking to him. I rehearsed twice in the taxi and poof! We were there. Damn guy drove too fast.
But he told me that I did great and that I’d get the part, no question. With a pep in my step, I glided into the building figuring how could a homeless guy and taxi guy be wrong?
Up to the seventh floor, following the signs for the audition. I was about five minutes early and they were having technical problems, so I waited in the hallway. I started to feel the nerves. I heard my TV producer friend’s voice: “Walk in there like you own the place. Like the gig is yours.” My swagger was more like I rented the place, not owned.
Then a statuesque cinnamon beauty with cropped hair rounded the corner. Egad. If it’s between me and Tyra Banks here, there’s no question, it’s hers. Well, I thought, at least I’ve got short and cute going for me.
When Tyra went in to audition, the epitome of Short and Cute came bubbling down the hallway. She looked spunky with her natural hair, patterned shirt, and turns out she was an actress who had been on several of these kinds of auditions. I explained to her it was my first. She stared at me googly-eyed and slack-jawed.
“Here’s where you’re supposed to say something encouraging.” I told her.
We both laughed.
It was my turn. I went in there, tried to be all charming and happy, live up to what they’d heard about my personality and then… No teleprompter.
“Is that going to be a problem?” The producer asked.
“No! It’s OK, I’ll give it a go!” I said, sounding much more confident than I felt.
It started off good, then I faltered on a line. Whoops. I tripped on the next line. Ack! The following line was amnesia-inducing. I didn’t know what it was. I just stared at the red, glaring light on the camera, willing it to reveal the next line.
I apologized, they reassured me that it was OK. I tried again, and though it was better, the confidence wasn’t quite there. I was thinking more about the words. They asked if I wanted to take a few minutes in the hallway to prepare.
“Sure!” I went around the corner and gave myself a good talking to: You can do this Melanie, you know this, just deliver it and if it’s not verbatim, who cares, just bring the viewers along. Don’t be like those girls on America’s Next Top Model, where they go blank and can’t recover. I smiled, amused that I was using the ANTM girls as motivation to kick ass.
I went back in there, this time the teleprompter was working and I used it, but it looked like I was reading from a teleprompter. (All those times we joke about Obama and his teleprompter, it’s not so easy folks, not so easy.)
I tried it again without the teleprompter, didn’t stick to the script but kept moving a long and felt more confident than in the first round.
Afterward, we all bid our adieus and though I wasn’t sure I got the gig, I was proud of my performance.
To celebrate, I vowed to have salad for dinner and took myself out to some yummy, cooked on a short-order-grill pancakes.
A few days later, I got an email from the producer. I didn’t get the gig, but it sure was fun as hell to try. 🙂
So proud of you!!! They don’t know what they are missing and I’m sure you learned a lot about yourself in the process. I love those moments where you put yourself out there and celebrate the opportunity regardless of the outcome.
Of *course* you do, everyone loves reading about “failures.” Kidding. I’m soooo kidding. As you know (because you’re this way too) I don’t take myself too seriously and am glad to experience life’s little adventures. Tomorrow? The Harlem Shake.
Good for you!!! Esp when you took a step back, pepped up, and went back in to do it again.
Ha, well thanks. I didn’t feel like I had much of a choice, but it was a good experience or at least an interesting couple of blog posts.
You rock. The end.
Thanks! So do you. 🙂
So, so very cool you gave this a go … love that you told the actress girl “This is where you’re supposed to say something encouraging.” Ha! You are so quick on your feet … a script only bogs you down, friend! Glad that “America’s Next Top Model” was able to inspire you to get back in there and try again … I’m sorry they missed out on hiring a gem, but this could be a “where I started in TV” story in a few years!
Ha! Thanks, I’m glad you like how I’m “quick on my feet.” It’s usually that I speak before thinking and am often just as surprised as everyone else is when the words escape my lips. I suppose that’s why I was clinging to the script so much. You’re right, in the very least it’s a good story and was loads of fun.