I had an audition the other day that I was very excited about, as it was for a feature film starring a high profile actress. The role may have been small, but it would have been a wonderful opportunity.

The casting agency did not provide sides in advance of the audition, as they had promised they would. I called the morning prior to the audition (I just got the call the previous day) and had to leave a message as they weren't open yet. I had no choice but to go in cold, and the casting agent acted disappointed/surprised when I told her I didn't get a copy of the sides. I had about 6-7 minutes to go over the lines before she brought me in again.

Clearly I would have done better had I received the sides the night before, as had been promised. Also, those actors who did receive the sides clearly had an advantage.

It's a hard lesson learned, as this project would have been great experience and wonderful on my resume. It's the second time in a row that there was a sides mix up, costing me confidence in the audition.

For my part, in this latest case I needed to be more assertive and should have called before 5pm the previous day when they still hadn't arrived via e-mail. At the time I was concerned about 'bothering' them with a follow-up call, but had I called then (instead of the next morning) I may have gotten the sides and been MUCH more prepared for the audition. I have to realize that following up isn't going to necessarily come across as annoying to the casting agent. I just have to get over that personality quirk where I hate to come across as being difficult or at all 'high maintenance' In this situation, it would have benefited me dramatically to make that extra phone call.

The other time there was a sides mix up that I alluded to was a student film maker sending me the wrong sides, and me not following up when I suspected something was a little off.

Anyone have a similar experience?

Auditions are hard enough for me (still can't get my heart rate to cooperate) without an issue like this making it more difficult.

Just looking forward to the next audition so I can do better.....

Jim

I usually never get the sides in advanced.I only got 5 out of 21 auditions last year, the rest I got them when when I got there. This year, I got them 1 time out of 3 auditions. And that was for a student film.And that's including my biggest film audition so far.

That's fine if you're expecting it. But when you get there and sign in, and there aren't sides hanging from a bulletin board or sitting on a table, and then you are brought in and the casting agent starts to read, it's not a pleasant situation that you have to tell her that her office never sent anything, despite calling them and letting them know. I've been to auditions where there weren't sides at all, and they just wanted to audition me for a non-speaking role. However, if no sides are provided in advance, if none are waiting there at the audition sign-in sheet/table, then it just plain throws you a bit when you are sent back to the waiting area to read sides that the other actors were privy to in advance.

If ever the situation arises again...and 9 times out of 10 it probably will...don't let the CA sense not getting the sides flustered you or peeved you at all..Because there are bound to be a million more important things regarding this casting that from their side of the table are more crucial. And it also makes it seem like an excuse. Sort of tthe dog ate my homework so I'm not prepared. Just do your cold audition with quick bold choices. If this ever happens again before actually signing in for your alloted time slot..get there a half hour earlier..See if you can look at the sides, then return and sign up for your slotted time.

Did you check Showfax?

Denise,

Thanks for the advise. I didn't feel like it was an excuse, since I did call them and DID arrive 30 minutes early.

I'll just have to be more forceful/outgoing next time and make damn sure I get the sides.

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:
Did you check Showfax?

JG-

I think everybody's suffered your dilemma... definitely check out transfergirl's recommendation and subsribe to this online service that allows you to instantly download your sides -- it's an invaluable resource. It virtually eliminates the confusion and angst of getting your sides on time. One booking and it's paid for itself ten times over. Here's the link: www.showfax.com

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