Talent Jug - Casting Calls and Auditions

The Actor’s Emergency Kit

Have you ever been on your way to an audition and you realize that the zit that you popped is suddenly oozing?  Or maybe you’re early to your big screen-test for General Hospital and while you are just fine having to wait in the car, it’s 2PM and you feel like you may pass out if you don’t eat.  But then you realize all you have is one dollar, enough to afford the sour-cream and onion potato chips out of the vending machine inside the casting studio. 
But, oh damn, you have to kiss the most beautiful Greek God in the screen-test!  Great, now you’re going to smell like onions!  It’s back to waiting tables for you for sure!  Perhaps you thought it was a tad cooler outside only to find out that it is a sweltering, 90 degree day in Los Angeles and you are now sweating profusely since the A/C is out in your 1993 dump-of-a-Geo.

And we all know about Aunt Flo?  What happens then?  Do you walk on set ready to deliver lines for your big co-star on Grey’s Anatomy only to deliver evidence of ‘flo’ on your white nurse’s uniform instead?  Oh crap! The wardrobe lady was so persnickety too!  Not to worry, there’s help:  The Actor’s Emergency Kit .  Never leave home without it!  Just like you should always have an earthquake kit in Los Angeles and a hurricane emergency kit  in Florida, you should always have The Actor’s Emergency Kit in Actorville, USA !

First thing’s first, go back in your mind to all the times you wished you had this, that or the other. Fill in the blanks.  Because as good ‘ol Dr. Phil would say, “Past history is the best predictor of future behavior.”  Boy he’s smart!

So chances are if you have issues with zits, make a mental note for a ‘zit’ item to be included in the emergency kit.  That would be toothpaste (best to dry it out), cover-up and of course mini tissues and a magnifying mirror. Don’t forget that mirror.

Oh Lord, are you a nose hair person?  Get that jungle trimmed, child!  Carry some nose clippers or tweezers.  Don’t make the CD wonder if she can knit a sweater with that nostril hair. You want her focused on your audition not the jungle of hairs up your nose.

And, for bad breath always carry the sample size Scope. Also, when you’ve already booked and now you’re on set, have a mini tooth brush close by or off camera so in between takes if you eat, spinach for instance from the Kraft Services table, you can brush it out.  Honestly, make-up and crew will not always notice these particulars.  You don’t want to blow your best take because you have pesky green leaves between your two front teeth.

Also for really hot days and for on set, carry a mini-fan run by batteries.  It will keep your make-up set in the car and also between takes.  For girls, c’mon do I have to tell you?  Tampons are essential.  You know there’s always that one girl who’s caught off guard and practically in tears before the audition…don’t be her.

Also always carry a change of clothes in the car.  You may think I’m crazy but I’m telling you it has served me many times.  Suddenly I stop short and the coffee spills all over me.  Or like I said, maybe I thought it was a cool day and it’s sweltering out so by the time I get from Hollywood to Santa Monica (in my non A/C-equipped car), my shirt is drenched.  This was even worse in New York when I took the subway in the middle of August.  Which brings me to my next essential, always have a mini deodorant in your kit.

TAEK it, The Actors Emergency Kit (T.A.E.K)!  Don’t leave home without it.  I guarantee you, you’ll be much better for carrying it or my name isn’t Harry Amex.  Well okay, it isn’t…  But you get the point.  Don’t get caught with your pants down, clip your nostrils, clean between your teeth, check for pit stains, get the the emergency kit and don’t leave home without it!

– Heather Langone

Article Source: http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2008/12/the-actors-emergency-kit.html

Tags: Audition Tips, Auditions, Casting Calls

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