I received an email the other day about a last-minute casting call for families: "We would love to cast real families but understand we may need to create them through individual talent. The concepts center around stylish professionals raising a growing family in the city." They're looking for stylish, urban, chic! The very opposite of my family! I hit "Accept."
The call sheet said "Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM" and I assumed that meant the process would take the whole six hours. Fortunately, Junior's agent sent a follow-up email to clarify that we could arrive anytime between the hours posted. He also said to dress casually, and to be patient, as "there are quite a few people going for this."
So there was a chance that my offspring would be cast individually. I prepped Junior by explaining that we would be going to an audition, where they would take pictures of him and maybe ask him questions, like what his name is, how old he is, does he have siblings, etc. I also promised him a treat afterwards. He was in. Let the adventure begin!
*
On the day of, I picked up Junior early from daycare. Ominously, he woke up grumpy, as opposed to his usual jack-in-the-box style of "Bangon na tayo!" ("Let's get up!") I had to carry him partway out of there, until I remembered to show him the Blaze monster truck I'd packed. That woke him up.
The studio, in a nearby town, had a fun, funky vibe. The friendly receptionist directed us to the waiting area, which was the kitchen at the end of the hall. There was a table set up for signing in, with one sheet already full. I took the next sheet and signed in Junior, then scoped out the room. There were about 20 people waiting their turn, including three or four whole families. We settled into a table to wait.
The studio was full of vintage items like old cameras, arcade games, and a jukebox. I found a small model truck on a ledge and handed it to Junior, reminding him that it wasn't ours and that we would return it when we were done. While he was busy, I texted my buddy C about what we were doing.
"Who's your competition?" C asked.
It hadn't occurred to me to view everyone there as such, but that's what they were! I texted back: "So far: a Korean family of four with one boy and one girl. Other parents brought only daughters."
I also noted that there were some ZADDIES! I counted eight men who came alone, all drop-dead gorgeous. I texted Hubby this tidbit. His response: "No trade ins!"
About half an hour into our wait, I overheard one woman tell another, "We've been here since noon." She appeared to be part of a group of singles. A couple of families had been called ahead of them since Junior and I arrived, so I figured the casting team prioritized parents with kids. I added my name to Junior's on our sign-in sheet, hoping that would bump us up.
Another half an hour later, the folks who were there since noon got called in. Good luck to them!!!
Junior and I were busily constructing a combination towing apparatus/friendship bracelet when we got called in. We stood in a hallway while a little girl was being photographed in the audition room. I struck up a conversation with her mom, who was out waiting with us. "She's four," she confided. "She just did a commercial in there last month, for candy." Apparently, her kid loves modeling and acting so much that they were going to fly her out to LA to "see what happens..."
"Can we go in yet?" Junior asked. "Soon," I assured him. They called us in a few minutes later.
The casting director, a pleasant woman, wrote our names and agency on a whiteboard and handed it to me. She told us to stand at a particular spot, in front of a very tired looking photographer. She explained that they'll take photos of us together interacting, as well as apart. Then she backed away. "Smile!" she said...
...and Junior essentially switched between these two expressions:
He also put his truck over his face. *facepalm emoji*
"Is he a little boy?" chuckled the casting director. At that point, I was just happy he hadn't melted down yet, and so tried to tickle him (at the director's prompting) to see if we could get a proper smile. It worked, a little.
He did manage to flash a photogenic grin when she asked him if he gets called Spider-Man because of his Spider-Man shoes. "I'm Spider-Man!" he beamed, and the photographer quickly took a shot. As for me, I was just smiling indulgently the whole time.
The actual audition took about five minutes. Junior immediately asked for his treat as we headed out the door. I gave him two pieces of chocolate. On the ride home, I gently told him that he did a great job, and next time perhaps he could give a normal smile? "I'll do a SUPER smile," he promised, widening his eyes solemnly.
*
Later that evening, when I asked him if he'd like to do an audition again, he shook his head. Well, at least we tried it once! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
*
In conclusion, there's no chance we got cast, but the important thing is that we got through it without incident, and I learned that although my son will readily chat up, and even sing to, strangers on the street, the chances of his offering a winning smile on command are 50/50 or lower. So perhaps, indeed, this was his first and last casting call.
TL;DR: Junior had his first audition! It was an okay experience!
---
This post brought to you by California Pizza Kitchen!
The call sheet said "Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM" and I assumed that meant the process would take the whole six hours. Fortunately, Junior's agent sent a follow-up email to clarify that we could arrive anytime between the hours posted. He also said to dress casually, and to be patient, as "there are quite a few people going for this."
So there was a chance that my offspring would be cast individually. I prepped Junior by explaining that we would be going to an audition, where they would take pictures of him and maybe ask him questions, like what his name is, how old he is, does he have siblings, etc. I also promised him a treat afterwards. He was in. Let the adventure begin!
*
On the day of, I picked up Junior early from daycare. Ominously, he woke up grumpy, as opposed to his usual jack-in-the-box style of "Bangon na tayo!" ("Let's get up!") I had to carry him partway out of there, until I remembered to show him the Blaze monster truck I'd packed. That woke him up.
The studio, in a nearby town, had a fun, funky vibe. The friendly receptionist directed us to the waiting area, which was the kitchen at the end of the hall. There was a table set up for signing in, with one sheet already full. I took the next sheet and signed in Junior, then scoped out the room. There were about 20 people waiting their turn, including three or four whole families. We settled into a table to wait.
The studio was full of vintage items like old cameras, arcade games, and a jukebox. I found a small model truck on a ledge and handed it to Junior, reminding him that it wasn't ours and that we would return it when we were done. While he was busy, I texted my buddy C about what we were doing.
"Who's your competition?" C asked.
It hadn't occurred to me to view everyone there as such, but that's what they were! I texted back: "So far: a Korean family of four with one boy and one girl. Other parents brought only daughters."
I also noted that there were some ZADDIES! I counted eight men who came alone, all drop-dead gorgeous. I texted Hubby this tidbit. His response: "No trade ins!"
About half an hour into our wait, I overheard one woman tell another, "We've been here since noon." She appeared to be part of a group of singles. A couple of families had been called ahead of them since Junior and I arrived, so I figured the casting team prioritized parents with kids. I added my name to Junior's on our sign-in sheet, hoping that would bump us up.
Another half an hour later, the folks who were there since noon got called in. Good luck to them!!!
Junior and I were busily constructing a combination towing apparatus/friendship bracelet when we got called in. We stood in a hallway while a little girl was being photographed in the audition room. I struck up a conversation with her mom, who was out waiting with us. "She's four," she confided. "She just did a commercial in there last month, for candy." Apparently, her kid loves modeling and acting so much that they were going to fly her out to LA to "see what happens..."
"Can we go in yet?" Junior asked. "Soon," I assured him. They called us in a few minutes later.
The casting director, a pleasant woman, wrote our names and agency on a whiteboard and handed it to me. She told us to stand at a particular spot, in front of a very tired looking photographer. She explained that they'll take photos of us together interacting, as well as apart. Then she backed away. "Smile!" she said...
...and Junior essentially switched between these two expressions:
 |
| ©Bill Watterson |
"Is he a little boy?" chuckled the casting director. At that point, I was just happy he hadn't melted down yet, and so tried to tickle him (at the director's prompting) to see if we could get a proper smile. It worked, a little.
He did manage to flash a photogenic grin when she asked him if he gets called Spider-Man because of his Spider-Man shoes. "I'm Spider-Man!" he beamed, and the photographer quickly took a shot. As for me, I was just smiling indulgently the whole time.
The actual audition took about five minutes. Junior immediately asked for his treat as we headed out the door. I gave him two pieces of chocolate. On the ride home, I gently told him that he did a great job, and next time perhaps he could give a normal smile? "I'll do a SUPER smile," he promised, widening his eyes solemnly.
*
Later that evening, when I asked him if he'd like to do an audition again, he shook his head. Well, at least we tried it once! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
*
In conclusion, there's no chance we got cast, but the important thing is that we got through it without incident, and I learned that although my son will readily chat up, and even sing to, strangers on the street, the chances of his offering a winning smile on command are 50/50 or lower. So perhaps, indeed, this was his first and last casting call.
TL;DR: Junior had his first audition! It was an okay experience!
---
This post brought to you by California Pizza Kitchen!
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