Showing Up

Being a working actor requires not only creativity but a lot of hard work while taking body blows to the ego. For all but the most established actors, a common activity is the audition or cattle call. In Riad Galayini and James Morrison's documentary, Christopher Meloni (Law & Order SVU), Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), Nathan Lane, Janeane Garofalo, the late Pat Hingle, and many others familiar to movie and television audiences explain what it's like to audition for a part. The audition is usually a waiting game, followed by a brief, nerve-wracking run-through in front of playwrights, producers, directors, or casting directors, any of whom can be talking on the phone, texting, or eating while supposedly watching the actor. Staying fresh while waiting, or dealing with distractions—plus coping with real or perceived lack of producer empathy—is always a challenge. Each actor has a different take on dealing with other actors in the same room competing for the same part. Some actors actually enjoy the process, while many others do not, and they disagree about whether nerves help or hinder the audition. Actors have a notorious need to be accepted and loved, but the interviewees here argue that it's still important to have a strong sense of one's own value and carry that into the room. Although a tone of resentment runs through many of the comments here, there is much helpful advice on maintaining pride, dignity, and a sense of humor. And one actor reminds viewers that we all audition in life, regardless of our professions. This is basically a "talking heads" documentary, but the talk exhibits hard-won experience and lots of wit, and should prove useful to aspiring actors. A bonus disc features 100 minutes of extended interviews. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)