I had my first experience at what's known in the biz (and by "in the biz" I mean "at my agency") as a "Student Open Call."
To preface, the student open call is basically a get-together where everyone who is taking classes has a chance to meet with the casting director at the agency and do a little stuff-strutting in order to make an impression.
I wish it was more interesting, but here's basically what went down.
I got to Akron on Wednesday about 25 minutes before the open call started - it started at 5. As I walked into the building I made the observation that, aside from fathers of girls in the room, I was the only male in the waiting room of the agency. This was intriguing.
I checked in and inquired about whether or not I was the only guy in attendance; "No, I think there's one other...so you'll be fine." Comforting.
It really wasn't too terrible. I went downstairs to the waiting room (same waiting room as previous entries; downstairs in the building, runway-style middle-area, seats facing each other) and was staggered by just how many girls there were. However, a few gents showed up after I went and took a squeege. I saw some familiar faces and sat down to chat it up and wait for this thing to get started.
Katie the director showed up and told us that we'd basically split into two groups (one upstairs, one downstairs) walk the runway, then come talk to her about whether or not we can expect work.
I was in the first group and went upstairs with Katie while the others stayed downstairs with a woman named Kelly, who apparently does something similar...like start her name with K.
Before I went, the whole group sort of sat around and watched people go one at a time, then clapped when they exited the stage, then we talked amongst ourselves while the subject and Katie privately spoke...in the middle of a crowded room - that part was funny.
When it was my turn, I walked the runway and realized that I suffer from a condition I like to call "nervous-twitchy-face." This is when you're being forced to smile while being nervous, and as a result your face starts to twitch and you feel like you look stupid...so you smile less. First thing Katie said to me "I saw a bit of a smile, you've got a great smile, use it more."
Damn you, face. You're a gift and a curse.
Anyway, she also said that I have to work on the walking-with-the-shoulders-back aspect, because it looked like I might have been slumped just a little. However, assuming that's taken care of, I'll be good to go in the near future. So that's exciting.
On the other hand, it's been a few days and I haven't heard anything beyond the stock letter which they send to people who attended: it basically read "Thanks for coming, keep working, hope to get you gigs soon."
Fingers crossed, that's all for this topic. I may post again momentarily with a story that no one else will find interesting.
To preface, the student open call is basically a get-together where everyone who is taking classes has a chance to meet with the casting director at the agency and do a little stuff-strutting in order to make an impression.
I wish it was more interesting, but here's basically what went down.
I got to Akron on Wednesday about 25 minutes before the open call started - it started at 5. As I walked into the building I made the observation that, aside from fathers of girls in the room, I was the only male in the waiting room of the agency. This was intriguing.
I checked in and inquired about whether or not I was the only guy in attendance; "No, I think there's one other...so you'll be fine." Comforting.
It really wasn't too terrible. I went downstairs to the waiting room (same waiting room as previous entries; downstairs in the building, runway-style middle-area, seats facing each other) and was staggered by just how many girls there were. However, a few gents showed up after I went and took a squeege. I saw some familiar faces and sat down to chat it up and wait for this thing to get started.
Katie the director showed up and told us that we'd basically split into two groups (one upstairs, one downstairs) walk the runway, then come talk to her about whether or not we can expect work.
I was in the first group and went upstairs with Katie while the others stayed downstairs with a woman named Kelly, who apparently does something similar...like start her name with K.
Before I went, the whole group sort of sat around and watched people go one at a time, then clapped when they exited the stage, then we talked amongst ourselves while the subject and Katie privately spoke...in the middle of a crowded room - that part was funny.
When it was my turn, I walked the runway and realized that I suffer from a condition I like to call "nervous-twitchy-face." This is when you're being forced to smile while being nervous, and as a result your face starts to twitch and you feel like you look stupid...so you smile less. First thing Katie said to me "I saw a bit of a smile, you've got a great smile, use it more."
Damn you, face. You're a gift and a curse.
Anyway, she also said that I have to work on the walking-with-the-shoulders-back aspect, because it looked like I might have been slumped just a little. However, assuming that's taken care of, I'll be good to go in the near future. So that's exciting.
On the other hand, it's been a few days and I haven't heard anything beyond the stock letter which they send to people who attended: it basically read "Thanks for coming, keep working, hope to get you gigs soon."
Fingers crossed, that's all for this topic. I may post again momentarily with a story that no one else will find interesting.
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