Saturday, June 20, 2009

No Deal!

If anything, trying out for a spot on a popular game show is more grueling that trying out for a film role. For the Boston tryouts for "Deal or No Deal", held this past Saturday (June 20th) at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, the wait was close to four hours before you were seen by the first level of casting agent. There were three hours waiting on the street (where I was about 1/3 of the way down a line of several thousand), one hour going through a maze of a waiting line inside the hotel, and about fifteen minutes in a second room where you were finally given 30 seconds to make your mark. I made it through that first review and received a yellow ticket that gained me access to the third room for a second interview. In that final room the wait was only about ten minutes before getting another 30 second shot at fame and fortune. By that point the 'contestants' were pretty much played out, and few had the same level of energy they had a few minutes before. Whatever the case, none of the ten in my final group was given the final nod. It could have been a function of the hour: though we were in the first 1/3rd of those who showed that day, that put us about 1000 or so back and there were only fifty to be chosen all total. So perhaps by the time we were seen the second round of casting agents knew they had be less generous - or the 2000 that were yet to reach that first interview would have no chance at all. Regardless, it was an interesting experience. Interesting for the people I met, their different levels of energy, their different approaches to the quest. In front of me in line for most of the day was the Sullivan family (mother, son, fiance). They had special tee shirts which helped identify them as a group - something that seemed a good idea byt - as it turned out, did not seem to have an effect on the judges. But having family or friends did seem to help some of those I heard interviewed maintain a certain natural spontaneity. Included with this posting are pics taken during the day, and one of the form that the producers asked participants to fill out. Let me know if you were there that day, and what your experiences were.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Deal or No Deal!

OPEN CASTING CALL FOR "DEAL OR NO DEAL"
Saturday, June 20, 10 AM- 4 PM at Seaport Hotel, Boston

Do you have nerves of steel? A killer instinct? Raw intuition and an amazing personality? Do you want the chance to win $1 million dollars?
Come to the Open Casting Call for the hit TV show DEAL OR NO DEAL on Saturday, June 20th at the Seaport Hotel!

Boston Casting is looking for high-energy, dynamic and competitive men and women to audition for DEAL OR NO DEAL. Must be over 18. For more information, visit www.dealornodealtv.com or www.bostoncasting.com

Open Call Information:
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Location: Seaport Hotel - One Seaport Lane - Boston, MA 02210
For more information visit www.bostoncasting.com

Monday, June 8, 2009

My Camry on the Big Screen?

They didn't want me for "The Fighter", but there's a good chance they'll take my car - a stunningly authentic 1986 Toyota Camry: blatantly un-aerodynamic, moon-roof, bald tires (I'll have to remove the Obama stickers). I'll let you know what happens, but let me say first that I got a notice from Boston Casting - a casting call for cars (I had my car listed there too). This could be a Seinfeld moment (remember when George had Jon Voigt's car?) Of course if it is a Seinfeld moment, it will turn out it was Johns, not Jon's car. John Voigt the dentist, if I remember it accurately. So maybe my Camry won't make the final cut. But I think its worth noting that there are many ways you can get your feet wet (and your tires) in the film industry.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

New Casting Call for 'The Fighter'

OPEN CASTING CALL for "THE FIGHTER"
The Dickie Ecklund and Micky Ward Story starring Mark Wahlberg


OPEN CASTING CALL Thursday, JUNE 4 from 10 AM - 4:00 PM for:
Actresses (25 - 40 yrs) to play "tough broads" and
Actors (25 - 40 yrs) to play "Crack Addicts"


Also, an open casting for Cambodian Men who speak fluent Khmer ages 20 - 40 on
Monday, June 8 from 11 AM - 4 PM

Both Open Calls at BOSTON CASTING
129 BRAINTREE STREET
BOSTON, MA

Open to Union and Non-Union

For more information visit www.bostoncasting.com

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

'The Fighter', VFW Hall, Lowell MA

MAY 23, 2009. 9:20 a.m., a full 40 minutes before the posted start of the open call, the line stretched around the building, and down a side street. The film was "The Fighter", the story of Lowell boxer Mickey Ward, and the casting agency was trying to find authentic Lowell residents, boxers, and 'trainer types'. I was about 100th in line, and that did not include the elderly and handicapped, or members of SAG or AFTRA, who were brought to the front of the line. I made it inside after about 90 minutes and was surprised to find that there would not be any camera time (no slate or group assessment) unless and until I presented my head shot and biographical information to one of two casting professionals who were looking - at first, for certain, specific looks. I had been considering 'dressing the part' - that is, in this case, wearing perhaps vintage 70's sweats, oversized shades, maybe a gold chain - trying for that disco-reject look that I envisioned members of a boxer's entourage wearing (especially in the late seventies/eighties), but I wimped out. It would probably not have helped - I didn't look the part. But you never know. I heard a middle aged man in front of me - after being rejected by the casting professional in his row, switch rows and tell the other casting pro that he had experience 'in the ring'. For most though - like me, the casting pro simply said "you're good to go", meaning thanks, but no thanks. Seated around the VFW hall, were a handful of 'boxer types' who had passed the initial screening, waiting for a more thorough assessment of their fit. When I left the hall and headed toward my car, there were still a hundred or so people in line.