Okay, so I’ve only been on 3 print auditions in my life – The Post Office, Frito-Lay, and most recently this week, the Illinois Lottery. Now, I’ve been trained in how to audition for all kinds of different things – character roles in a film scene, voice-overs, improvisation for a TV commercial, etc., but I’ve never been “trained” on how to do a print audition. This has got to be, by far, the hardest audition to perform. Well, for me at least.
In order for a model to be considered for a print ad (for example, magazines or outdoor billboards), the client would need to see what that model currently looks like in photographs. So they arrange for a photography studio to do a “mini photo shoot” of all the candidates, or models, who fit their criteria for the job. Agencies call it a “go-see”. The rest of us experienced auditioners call it what it really is – a cattle call. Because really, it’s a plethora of people (a.k.a. “cattle”) coming to one place to put in their application for one job.
So here’s how my audition for the Illinois Lottery went. I drove over 2 hours to Chicago and arrived at the studio just after they cut the line off so the photographers could go to lunch. As slightly inconvenienced as I was having to wait an hour before getting in line again, I was happy to be near the front of the line when the photographers had returned -- full and happy -- and ready to run through the next batch of hopefuls.
When it was my turn, I greeted the photographer and took my mark. He took one close-up shot and one body shot, then asked me to pretend I was driving in a car. Silently I was laughing to myself because I had just spent the better part of the last two hours doing just that. So, I put my hands up like they were on the steering wheel and was ready to go.
Then he described to me that I needed to look like I was having a good day – but not too good. He then took a couple of pictures (snap, snap). Then he said to look in the rear view mirror (snap), and then around to some shops (snap) and then pretend I was driving in reverse (snap). Then, for the final shot, he said to look straight into the camera and give just the smallest hint of a smile (snap). Then he thanked me, shook my hand and I was done.
And that was it. I traveled 2 hours (a little more than 4 hours round trip) for about 2 minutes of the photographer’s time, and I have no idea how I did or how I fared. I will never see the photos from the shoot, so I have no way of seeing how I could improve for the next one.
This was the same scenario with my other two print auditions. For Frito-Lay, they did a close-up, a side shot, one from the back (which seemed weird at the time), and then I had to pretend I was throwing a Frisbee. For the Post Office, they took a close-up, a body shot, I had to pretend I was receiving a package already in my hands, and then pretend I was putting one in a mailbox.
Seriously, how does one prepare for such auditions? As an actor, if they told me what facial expression they were looking for, I might have a better shot. Like, we’re looking for the instant you realized you were in love, or you’ve got a secret you just have to share with your best friend -- something like that.
Not that I mind pretending, of course. That’s totally my nature. But asking me to pretend like I’m doing nothing more than driving in a car just isn’t very riveting. Guess that’s what I should be working on, eh -- finding the “riveting” in mundane tasks and reading between the lines, so to speak. Sounds like I’ve got some homework to do. Hmmm……
Showing posts with label Chicago audition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago audition. Show all posts
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Ah...What Price Beauty?
ABS. The American Beauty Show. It's held for four days (Friday through Monday) in March at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago every year. If you've ever been there you can understand the enormity of the event. If you haven't been there – simply put, it's huge. We're talking the size of two football fields – indoors – kind of huge. Hair designers from all the major labels (John Paul Mitchell, Matrix, Redken/Pureology, Aquage, etc.) are flown in from all over the country and even Europe to show off the latest in hair cuts, colors and designs to salon owners and fellow hair stylists. And what do all these major designers need in order to show off how talented they are? Why, models, of course.
So every year for the past few years, I have traveled up to Chicago to audition for these designers in hopes that I get picked to be a model (I've done it twice so far). Not only does the model get a fantastic new haircut and color from a nationally known designer, the model gets paid to do it and usually gets products to tote home as well. Not a bad deal considering what it usually costs to get your hair done from your local stylist.
This year, my audition process went a little differently than normal...
So let me set the stage. I had four auditions lined up for Thursday evening, right before the show weekend. My first was with Redken/Pureology at 5 p.m., the second with KMS/Goldwell at 5:30 p.m., followed by Chi at 6:00 p.m., and then Matrix at 7 p.m. The auditions were held relatively close together (all within about 2 miles of each other), so I printed out my directions and headed to my first audition at the W Hotel. I've driven through downtown Chicago several times, so I knew generally where I was going.
I was making good time and planned to arrive at the W about ½ an hour early. Unfortunately, my directions through downtown had a typo and sent me the wrong way down Lake Shore Drive. After realizing I was going the wrong way, I popped out my GPS and worked through a set of new directions that would get me close to my destination. After navigating my way to Navy Pier, I spotted the hotel, but because of my backtracking (and normal rush hour traffic), it was now 5 minutes before my first audition was to begin.
Now, normally when I drive to someplace in a city where I haven't been exactly, I drive around the block to check out the parking. I'm notorious for finding THE MOST EXPENSIVE parking garage because it's close to where I need to go. So I drive up to the W Hotel, see a sign next to their valet that says “public parking/valet” in the drive, so I pull up and the valet shoo's me off saying I can't park there. It's now 5:00 and I'm worried I'm going to be late. So I pull up a little further up the block and I see three “pay and go” parking meters. I pull up to the one that is available and park, thinking I had scored because it's not going to cost me $20 for a garage (the meters average about $2.50). I get out, put my credit card in the meter, and it won't take it. It just says, “No Parking 6 p.m.”. I look at my watch, and it says 6:10 p.m. That was my first mistake. It was actually 5:10. I forgot to do the time change in my head (Chicago is on CST, whereas I am normally on EST). I thought the meter meant no parking charge after 6 p.m., which happens in quite a few cities where I have traveled, so figured there was no charge (hence my card not working). I looked around and didn't see any signs that said anything differently, so I left my car, thinking at the very least, I'd be back in 15-20 minutes.
So I make it up to the ballroom where the audition was being held and was relieved to see that they hadn't started selecting models yet. Now, hair auditions are usually very fast. The designers have 5 or 6 cuts they want to showcase, so they know exactly what types of hair they want to use. They look at you, the length, texture, and the color of your hair, and if you fit one of their 6 specific molds, they ask you if you are willing to do what they want and then you choose to do it or not. Most hair auditions are done within 15-20 minutes. Pretty simple.
Redken/Pureology had a number of designers from both product lines looking for specific looks. I was considered by one designer during the audition, but after an hour and 20 minutes of them looking through the models, I was ultimately not chosen.
So I raced back downstairs, very nervous that they had kept us so late. I had totally missed the second audition at 5:30, and was already 20 minutes late for the third audition for Chi which had started at 6:00. As I went to retrieve my car, the shock had set in that my car was not where I had parked it. It was missing. Possibly towed, but also likely – stolen. I called the number on the meter which gave me 4 more numbers to call in case my car had been towed. After three phone calls and none of them having registered my car, I re-called the first number and asking if there were a different number to see where my car might be. She gave me the number for the downtown garage for impounded vehicles and they (thankfully) had my car. In the meantime, I still had to try and make it to 2 more auditions, so I hailed a taxi and made it to the audition for Chi. By the time I got there, I was an hour late.
The good news is, that a wonderful Chi designer from Houston chose to use me as a demonstration model, which meant I no longer had to make it to the 4th audition. As a demonstration model, I would be getting paid $100 for the day, getting my hair cut and colored, and would receive a bag of Biosilk products to care for my hair after the show. Now, I just had to take a taxi to the impound lot to retrieve my car.
That was a very long story to get to the point of my title. So, after paying for two taxi rides ($10 to get to the audition, and $15 to get back to my car), I arrived at the impound lot. I filled out the paperwork and paid my impound fine -- $160. Ouch. The worker there told me that there was no meter parking during the 4p-6p rush hour. I hadn't seen any signs to that effect, but it seemed to be pretty well known (to the locals anyway). So when I had parked thinking it was 6:10, it was actually 5:10 and therefore, rush hour (hence, the towing of my car).
Then to add insult to injury, when I got to my car, there was a $60 parking ticket (for parking during rush hour) on my windshield. I asked the guard if that had been included in my $160 fee. He said it was not. I would have to pay that separately. So this one audition for a gig where I would be making $100 cost me $220 (not including gas to get there, the two taxi rides, and parking the day of the event). What a costly lesson to learn. That will teach me to take an extra 5 minutes to look for appropriate parking. Now a $20 parking garage seems almost reasonable.
So that leaves me with the question – what price beauty? When it was all said and done, I lost around $165 on the deal. If I had wanted to, I could have easily paid that to get the same thing done to my hair locally (and probably had some change left over...). The whole point to doing the hair show was to come out ahead – getting the cut and color for free and making money for doing it. That totally didn't happen this year.
So was it worth it? Potentially. On paper? Certainly not. But I do have to say, though, that after taking part in the fantastic hair show for Chi, I would say it actually was worth it. The show was amazing, I got a totally stylish haircut and great color out of the deal, and I made invaluable contacts at Chi who know me now and would totally use me again in next year's show.
Perhaps next year, I can just show up to one audition (Chi), get chosen as a presentation model (they make more money per day and work all four days), and make up the difference then. In the meantime, I'm just chalking this up to an experience I will never forget. And remember when I said I was notorious for finding the most expensive parking no matter where I go? I think I have officially just set the record – and I hope I never break it.
So every year for the past few years, I have traveled up to Chicago to audition for these designers in hopes that I get picked to be a model (I've done it twice so far). Not only does the model get a fantastic new haircut and color from a nationally known designer, the model gets paid to do it and usually gets products to tote home as well. Not a bad deal considering what it usually costs to get your hair done from your local stylist.
This year, my audition process went a little differently than normal...
So let me set the stage. I had four auditions lined up for Thursday evening, right before the show weekend. My first was with Redken/Pureology at 5 p.m., the second with KMS/Goldwell at 5:30 p.m., followed by Chi at 6:00 p.m., and then Matrix at 7 p.m. The auditions were held relatively close together (all within about 2 miles of each other), so I printed out my directions and headed to my first audition at the W Hotel. I've driven through downtown Chicago several times, so I knew generally where I was going.
I was making good time and planned to arrive at the W about ½ an hour early. Unfortunately, my directions through downtown had a typo and sent me the wrong way down Lake Shore Drive. After realizing I was going the wrong way, I popped out my GPS and worked through a set of new directions that would get me close to my destination. After navigating my way to Navy Pier, I spotted the hotel, but because of my backtracking (and normal rush hour traffic), it was now 5 minutes before my first audition was to begin.
Now, normally when I drive to someplace in a city where I haven't been exactly, I drive around the block to check out the parking. I'm notorious for finding THE MOST EXPENSIVE parking garage because it's close to where I need to go. So I drive up to the W Hotel, see a sign next to their valet that says “public parking/valet” in the drive, so I pull up and the valet shoo's me off saying I can't park there. It's now 5:00 and I'm worried I'm going to be late. So I pull up a little further up the block and I see three “pay and go” parking meters. I pull up to the one that is available and park, thinking I had scored because it's not going to cost me $20 for a garage (the meters average about $2.50). I get out, put my credit card in the meter, and it won't take it. It just says, “No Parking 6 p.m.”. I look at my watch, and it says 6:10 p.m. That was my first mistake. It was actually 5:10. I forgot to do the time change in my head (Chicago is on CST, whereas I am normally on EST). I thought the meter meant no parking charge after 6 p.m., which happens in quite a few cities where I have traveled, so figured there was no charge (hence my card not working). I looked around and didn't see any signs that said anything differently, so I left my car, thinking at the very least, I'd be back in 15-20 minutes.
So I make it up to the ballroom where the audition was being held and was relieved to see that they hadn't started selecting models yet. Now, hair auditions are usually very fast. The designers have 5 or 6 cuts they want to showcase, so they know exactly what types of hair they want to use. They look at you, the length, texture, and the color of your hair, and if you fit one of their 6 specific molds, they ask you if you are willing to do what they want and then you choose to do it or not. Most hair auditions are done within 15-20 minutes. Pretty simple.
Redken/Pureology had a number of designers from both product lines looking for specific looks. I was considered by one designer during the audition, but after an hour and 20 minutes of them looking through the models, I was ultimately not chosen.
So I raced back downstairs, very nervous that they had kept us so late. I had totally missed the second audition at 5:30, and was already 20 minutes late for the third audition for Chi which had started at 6:00. As I went to retrieve my car, the shock had set in that my car was not where I had parked it. It was missing. Possibly towed, but also likely – stolen. I called the number on the meter which gave me 4 more numbers to call in case my car had been towed. After three phone calls and none of them having registered my car, I re-called the first number and asking if there were a different number to see where my car might be. She gave me the number for the downtown garage for impounded vehicles and they (thankfully) had my car. In the meantime, I still had to try and make it to 2 more auditions, so I hailed a taxi and made it to the audition for Chi. By the time I got there, I was an hour late.
The good news is, that a wonderful Chi designer from Houston chose to use me as a demonstration model, which meant I no longer had to make it to the 4th audition. As a demonstration model, I would be getting paid $100 for the day, getting my hair cut and colored, and would receive a bag of Biosilk products to care for my hair after the show. Now, I just had to take a taxi to the impound lot to retrieve my car.
That was a very long story to get to the point of my title. So, after paying for two taxi rides ($10 to get to the audition, and $15 to get back to my car), I arrived at the impound lot. I filled out the paperwork and paid my impound fine -- $160. Ouch. The worker there told me that there was no meter parking during the 4p-6p rush hour. I hadn't seen any signs to that effect, but it seemed to be pretty well known (to the locals anyway). So when I had parked thinking it was 6:10, it was actually 5:10 and therefore, rush hour (hence, the towing of my car).
Then to add insult to injury, when I got to my car, there was a $60 parking ticket (for parking during rush hour) on my windshield. I asked the guard if that had been included in my $160 fee. He said it was not. I would have to pay that separately. So this one audition for a gig where I would be making $100 cost me $220 (not including gas to get there, the two taxi rides, and parking the day of the event). What a costly lesson to learn. That will teach me to take an extra 5 minutes to look for appropriate parking. Now a $20 parking garage seems almost reasonable.
So that leaves me with the question – what price beauty? When it was all said and done, I lost around $165 on the deal. If I had wanted to, I could have easily paid that to get the same thing done to my hair locally (and probably had some change left over...). The whole point to doing the hair show was to come out ahead – getting the cut and color for free and making money for doing it. That totally didn't happen this year.
So was it worth it? Potentially. On paper? Certainly not. But I do have to say, though, that after taking part in the fantastic hair show for Chi, I would say it actually was worth it. The show was amazing, I got a totally stylish haircut and great color out of the deal, and I made invaluable contacts at Chi who know me now and would totally use me again in next year's show.
Perhaps next year, I can just show up to one audition (Chi), get chosen as a presentation model (they make more money per day and work all four days), and make up the difference then. In the meantime, I'm just chalking this up to an experience I will never forget. And remember when I said I was notorious for finding the most expensive parking no matter where I go? I think I have officially just set the record – and I hope I never break it.
Friday, August 7, 2009
To be, or not to be...a real "Soccer mom"
Today, I had my first audition for a national print ad -- Frito-Lay. Truly, I was "too excited to sleep" last night. :) I only had a day to prepare, so my biggest stress (besides picking out the right shirt to wear) was making sure my kids were taken care of while I made the trek up to Chicago. Many, many thanks to my wonderful neighbors who pitched in and let my kids hang out an their houses this afternoon. :) :)
Okay, so it took me 3-1/2 hours to get to Chicago (the longest it has EVER taken in my life). It's usually a 2 hour, 10 minute drive, but there was construction just south of Merrilville that added an extra 20 minutes, and then for some reason, traffic into Chicago from the Lake Shore Drive exit on I-90/94 was going (and I use this term loosely) at a crisp 2-3 miles per hour. It took me 45 minutes to get from there to the downtown exit I needed (typically about a 15 minute drive).
So after a couple of calls to my agent updating her to my progress and asking her to tell the studio I was going to be late, I finally arrived 15 minutes before the casting call was to end (at 4:00 their time). Luckily, there were still quite a few people left to go, so I was in good shape.
That being said, it was a very educational experience for me. I was told by my agent to look like a "soccer mom". I asked her if I were to be more upscale or more real, and she said definitely leaning more toward real soccer mom.
So I show up in a casual blue cotton shirt and regular jeans and sneakers - very "real" mom (except that I did have my hair down and curled and make-up on...;p). Well, the other mom-types who were there tonight were much more "polished" -- cute tops, tight jeans, strappy sandals... So I don't know if I were misinformed, or if the others just overdressed slightly.
This was the first national print job I've ever auditioned for, so I really didn't know what to expect. After entering the photographer's studio, I filled out my paperwork with my name, agent, phone number, sizes, etc. and then I got to watch the several other people who were in front of me (which was very helpful).
Each person got five pictures taken: 1) smiling "mugshot" which is a headshot with me holding up the paper with all my info under my face to easily identify me, 2) full-length casual pose, 3) side pose, 4) picture of me walking away from the camera (to get my backside), and 5) throwing a pretend frisbee (to show action and excitement).
Well, it became clear to me that I need to practice my "modeling" poses. I think I did pretty well with all of them except the frisbee one. I only say this because the photographer said the typical "great" or "nice" after each shot until after the frisbee one. He said, "okay", in that drawn out "I'm not really sure what you just did right there" kind of way. It almost made me laugh.
I had watched the other couple of moms before me and they threw the frisbee like they were throwing it to a really tall guy on a ladder (lots of extension and long, lean lines with their body poses). In true "me" form, I decided to throw a frisbee like a real mom who was throwing it to her child (who is, in actuality, shorter than I am). So no long, lean lines for me. I was a "real" mom in all my "normal-sized" glory. ;) ;)
So we'll see. It will all depend on what they are really looking for. They'll have my pics from today, and my comp card with my "pretty" pics to peruse. If anything, I will be better prepared for the next audition. :) With any luck (okay, an inordinate amount of luck), you may just see me on a billboard somewhere... hehehehe...
Okay, so it took me 3-1/2 hours to get to Chicago (the longest it has EVER taken in my life). It's usually a 2 hour, 10 minute drive, but there was construction just south of Merrilville that added an extra 20 minutes, and then for some reason, traffic into Chicago from the Lake Shore Drive exit on I-90/94 was going (and I use this term loosely) at a crisp 2-3 miles per hour. It took me 45 minutes to get from there to the downtown exit I needed (typically about a 15 minute drive).
So after a couple of calls to my agent updating her to my progress and asking her to tell the studio I was going to be late, I finally arrived 15 minutes before the casting call was to end (at 4:00 their time). Luckily, there were still quite a few people left to go, so I was in good shape.
That being said, it was a very educational experience for me. I was told by my agent to look like a "soccer mom". I asked her if I were to be more upscale or more real, and she said definitely leaning more toward real soccer mom.
So I show up in a casual blue cotton shirt and regular jeans and sneakers - very "real" mom (except that I did have my hair down and curled and make-up on...;p). Well, the other mom-types who were there tonight were much more "polished" -- cute tops, tight jeans, strappy sandals... So I don't know if I were misinformed, or if the others just overdressed slightly.
This was the first national print job I've ever auditioned for, so I really didn't know what to expect. After entering the photographer's studio, I filled out my paperwork with my name, agent, phone number, sizes, etc. and then I got to watch the several other people who were in front of me (which was very helpful).
Each person got five pictures taken: 1) smiling "mugshot" which is a headshot with me holding up the paper with all my info under my face to easily identify me, 2) full-length casual pose, 3) side pose, 4) picture of me walking away from the camera (to get my backside), and 5) throwing a pretend frisbee (to show action and excitement).
Well, it became clear to me that I need to practice my "modeling" poses. I think I did pretty well with all of them except the frisbee one. I only say this because the photographer said the typical "great" or "nice" after each shot until after the frisbee one. He said, "okay", in that drawn out "I'm not really sure what you just did right there" kind of way. It almost made me laugh.
I had watched the other couple of moms before me and they threw the frisbee like they were throwing it to a really tall guy on a ladder (lots of extension and long, lean lines with their body poses). In true "me" form, I decided to throw a frisbee like a real mom who was throwing it to her child (who is, in actuality, shorter than I am). So no long, lean lines for me. I was a "real" mom in all my "normal-sized" glory. ;) ;)
So we'll see. It will all depend on what they are really looking for. They'll have my pics from today, and my comp card with my "pretty" pics to peruse. If anything, I will be better prepared for the next audition. :) With any luck (okay, an inordinate amount of luck), you may just see me on a billboard somewhere... hehehehe...
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