I had a film audition recently and, for whatever reason, the script wasn't available. As a result, the actors read sides from an unrelated script. Now, I went in to read for an unscrupulous, hard-ass business guy. I don’t generally give off that vibe but it’s a persona that I do really well. The part that I read in the sides was a caring, sensitive doctor-type. Very different people. I asked the auditioner if he’d like me to read the doctor as he was written in the script or with more of the hard-ass guy kind of attitude. He wanted the former, presumably just wanting to see if I could act.

When I auditioned, I felt like I really nailed it. My moments and intentions were clear. I was connected. The director gave me a very positive reaction, gave me adjustments and was genuinely impressed each time I read it. I’ve auditioned enough so that I can tell if I’ve nailed a read or not. It seemed like I had the part.

Well, I never heard back. So I suspect, because of how well I read as a sensitive doctor (and my “nice-guy” vibe), that he couldn’t see me as a hard-ass nasty guy.

So is the lesson here that, you should read whatever you’re given as the role that you want (and risk looking like a bad actor) or, read the script as it should be read (and risk losing the part)? It would seem like the former. I’m sure there’s probably no definitive answer to that question but it sure seems like a “Catch-22.” One of many.