I was at an audition for a film the other day. I was auditioning for the role of a “nice Daddy” and was waiting with a dozen or so other "Dad-types." I got there early, read through the sides a dozen times and had a good take on it. It was pretty straightforward and "Dad" is something that I do well. I "reek" of Dad, even when I don't want to.

So, I'm waiting to go into the audition room and I can hear the actor before me auditioning. He looked pretty "Dad-like" but I thought his reading wasn't very good. Pretty flat, poor timing and all that. He may have been a fine actor but he wasn't connecting with it. I believe the director gave him adjustments and he read it through again. They spoke briefly and then he left.

It was my turn. After I spoke briefly with an associate and the Director, I did the scene. I hit most of my moments and thought I did a pretty good job. When I finished, they thanked me and I left. So, I read only once. Is that good or bad? I didn’t think the guy before me “got it” but he was asked to read twice.

I guess it could mean that I was so “dead-on” for what they wanted, they didn't need to hear anymore. Or, conversely, it could mean that I was so far off from what they had in mind that it wasn't worth it to read me again. Maybe I was somewhere in the middle, which I guess is even worse. I'm guessing that I gave them what they wanted (or was in the ballpark) and since they had it on tape and a lot of other people to see, they had to keep moving along. Who knows? I'll probably never know.

Another one of those strange little audition guessing games. Another reason why it’s a good idea to go in, do your best and then forget the whole thing. Move on to the next.