This word has played a huge a part of my life over the last few years. Well, truth be told, I'm sure it has run my life and I've simply not known it until the past few years. I am constantly finding synchronicity in my world, and one weekend in August was a result of that.
A year ago, I auditioned for Clifton Powell to be an extra in The North Star. Unlike other large casting calls, this one was special. We were told to bring a monologue or we could read the sides. Well, the sides didn't fit me, so I chose to do a monologue I had written myself. The first time ever using it in front of anyone. After 6 hours of waiting (luckily we had numbers so we weren't standing in line- it was a nice place to hang out and even with two children in tow, we didn't mind at all) I was led into the room and saw several cameras, many lights, and at least 15 people on the production team. Oh- this is bigger than I realized, I thought. Earlier that morning, Mr. Powell had come through and shaken our hands and said hello, and I only knew who he was because I'd done my homework. I hadn't seen any of his major movies, and so even though I found out he was well known, I didn't know him or his work myself. Being a Hollywood actor, I thought he was only there for a photo promo for the film, but as I stepped in to audition, I realized I was auditioning for him. What happened next would change the trajectory of how I perceived myself, my acting, my position in this field. It was like a dance. I spoke, he stopped me, redirected me, then told me to keep going and just do as he said. I did. I have never been directed like that before, and my eyes were locked on his, and his on mine, and we were tangoing through the monologue as I felt more and more powerful with every word. I didn't even finish the monologue, but I knew at once it wasn't because I had done poorly, but rather well. Mr. Powell said I took direction well and asked me many questions I had a hard time answering. Now I know better. But a year went by, I didn't get a part in The North Star (and didn't mind, because to this day it was the most breathtaking audition I've ever had), and I said on my birthday I wanted to find Clifton Powell. Ask him if he remembered me, see what kind of new things I could possibly learn from him. I was cautioned against this, and then two weeks later discovered a post on a random Facebook wall I never go to that Clifton Powell was coming to the area. I immediately signed up for the very reasonable class, thinking I would get more training. When the class got postponed, and I was told there was a Boot Camp in Philly I could attend, I asked the difference in the classes. Ironically, or maybe not, the Philly class was really what I wanted. So I went. And I did not regret a moment of time (so many hours upon hours working with Clifton Powell), and I benefited so fully from this workshop that I took some private lessons, too. Clifton Powell allowed me to open up my world and understand it was time to focus on the thing I loved and wanted to be and do- and since then, I've had incredible auditions every time. I've never felt so comfortable walking into a room and slating my name, or giving information about myself. And the result? Booking jobs. And the jobs I do book are easier to work on even. I just finished filming with WILL Interactive on another film, and the amount of emotion that went into the scenes- none of it was forced. I felt so good about the scenes afterwards- during I was just there- in the moment- exactly what I think acting should be. I booked a commercial within two hours of the audition and film that one tomorrow. I feel like I'm finally the professional I was meant to be. Synchronicity began showing itself 4 years ago- and since then, I've done nothing but move forward.
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April 2015
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