I've been one of those who has been resoundly against these reality shows exploiting and encouraging the complete bypassing of the acting community in favour of some cheap television.
Now. Along comes a TV Talent Show (ie this Oliver thing) that has a part that I could actually play. Hmm. The shoe's on the other foot suddenly. I start to think, Mmm, I'm in the playing age... I can sing... how often, as an unrepresented actor, do I get a shot at a paid casing? And at least each time these shows have been on, they have given trained actors a decent job- the right person has got the gig.
The fact that I would rather pull my own teeth out than go to most musicals currently in the West End is neither here nor there!
At the and of the day, it's a way in, and I've tried the conventional route for the last 11 years, with limited success. Maybe my Mountview training might come in handy after all!
Is anyone else out there having dangerous thoughts like these? Encouragement or a slap round the face, please!
Err, just to add to the chaos people might want to check out the website again. It seems that they've had a lot of applications for Nancy and are giving priority to those who've had a slot given to them already. I think they said to expect a six hour wait before getting through the door.
Well I too always thought these reality programmes belittled all I stood for as an actress............until Nancy came along. I decided (against my better judgement) to stand in the freezing cold at stupid o'clock to sing a verse of a song to casting director who may as well have already had a picture drawn of what he wanted. Needless to say I didn,t even get through the first round, not my inability to sing I hasten to add, I'm a vocal coach, but on the grounds of me being "Timid" well all those who know me were shocked at this comment as it is in no ways true. I think they have a list of excuses for those who simply do not fit the ideal of an act that will result in great T.V ratings. Is it not about the musical anymore. Anyway, had a fabulous audition yesterday and they certainly didn't regard me as timid....
Yes, you sing unaccompanied and you choose what key you start in.
Although it's a little daunting to hear yourself 'laid bare' so to speak, it's actually quite good in one sense as you can choose to sing songs (in the later stages) that you may not have sheet music for or just sing in a key more suitable for you than the original (if you don't have it transposed already).
Whilst I agree that standing in the cold for hours is not anyone's idea of fun, I'm a bit surprised at everyone's reaction to this. Maybe it's because it's different now, but when I first started out I regularly went to open calls where I had to wait outside a west end theatre for many hours, before getting to sing my 16 bars. It was hard going but you usually pal up with some others and share papers etc. If you want it badly enough you'll happily dig in and put up with it.
I don;t think it's a case of not wanting to wait in the cold for something worth while, but to stand in the cold to have a 10second audition infront of unseasoned representatives who are more attuned to talk amongst themselves during your entire 10second audition (most likely discussing where they#re going for lunch? Or what time do the other Research assistants come to relieve us?) just isn't worth the hassle, unless you're more eager to have your face on TV for a split second rather than be picked for your acutal talent.
It may seem to be the way forward for now, doing reality tv to get anywhere, but it isn't, there are hundreds of musicals out there, this just happens to be "high profile" right now, but let me assure you, high profile doesn't mean better. It just means you will be noticed.
Let me lay it another way, you happen to get through, but the public vote you out in the last 15, you may be lucky and get another break from it, but you';ll always be, "ahh, that's them that got voted out!" or for those wishing fame upon them "Oh I thought you were great, I voted for you!"
For me? Not something I'd like to be involved in, but that's just me. I'd rather go in for Britains got talent, at least you have a chance of being filmed doing something you're alledgedly good at!
Things may be different for this set of auditions, but for Maria and Joseph you do not sing in front of researchers, you sing in front of one of the industries top casting directors.
Standing in the cold for 6 hours is definitely worth it in my opinion.
ooooh im getting all nervous now!!! been practicing my 2 songs..that i may not even get to sing! im just gona try enjoy myself and go for it!!! what more can you do?!
Sheri,
You have to excuse my cynicism in this matter. I'd much rather prefer to queue and risk it the old way, auditions are nerve racking enough, without having the added pressure of being judged by viewers if I do or do not get through. It's a very personal process, ordinarily, however, in this instance you could sing like Lee Marvin in Paint Your Wagon, and so long as you're "viewable material" (in tv land) you'll get through to boost figures.
I can seriously only go by the likes of X-Factor, Pop Idol and the like, though don;t see how this is any different from those.
Primarily, it's to boost tv ratings, line the pockets of the producers, generate awareness of musical theatre with the hope of getting bums on seats (always a god thing) and finally getting a new star voted by the viewers who will work for equity minimum because the rewards of being famous will more than compensate for it.
If we were voted on talent by our peers, rather than a television audience rallying a popularity lottery, it would most liekly be worth it.
Though as I said in my first post, good luck for those who wish to put themselves through this, and don't take it too serious, just have fun out there guys :-)
Kenny,
You may have misinterpreted me - I'm extremely cynical too!
I did the Maria auditions, so I am just trying to pass on my knowledge of the process from that, to the people who are putting themselves through the process this time round.
The main reason I went for Maria? Because I had not been seen by the top musical theatre casting directors for YEARS. It was a chance to get seen and I took it with open arms. I would have queued for 3 days if that is what it took. I also believed that I had just as good a chance as any to play the role of Maria on the west end stage and I would have kicked myself if I hadn't have gone for it.
I hope this reality TV casting will end but I doubt it will, as it generates HUGE amounts of money.
We can be as cynical as we like and choose not to participate but we cannot deny that other will see it as a chance that may only come along once in a lifetime. The guts to go for it should be applauded, but people also need to go in with their eyes open.
I hope that many of the postings in this thread have been in someway helpful to those that are putting themselves 'out there' for the Oliver show.
I am in total agreement with Sheri AND Kenny on their points.
What we need to beart in mind is that it is TV. TV is now supporting the West End Theatres by publicising the shows and showing the talent that is required to go in to these roles means a certain amount of raising people's attention to the theatre.
How many, as Kenny says, of the audience of the TV shows have ever actually seen a show on stage? 50%?
Maybe, and probably, less than that. But they are the ones who are voting for the next West End star!!
It's so unimaginably crass that it could be deemed a 'stupid' were it not for the fact that some where there is going to be a little light that clicks on in someone's head that says 'Let's go and see a show instead of sitting here watching crap on the TV!'
A by product of all this is also that some artists who would have had a small chance to put themselves in front of major casting agents or the general public have the opportunity to do so.
It's a fine line. But as I said in the beginning of this thread: If you have the talent and the determination then GO FOR IT!
Everyone's eyes will need to be open for what happens next. I'm fascinated by this thread and how it has developed. I only hope that some of the CCPers get through so we can watch their progress!! Good luck to you all!!!
Alan
Hey guys, they are seeing those who have sent there forms in either by email or post and who have had a phone call first. you are guarenteed an audition. if your taking your form with you, you are NOT guarenteed an audition. They were telling the line of people who had their forms in their hand that they may not be seen due to the volume of people.
You can sing your own 2 contrasting songs if u wish but they do give you the lyrics to Um Pah Pah and As Long As He Needs Me if you wish to sing them.
Some people had their stage one audition then went onto their stage two. mine wasnt! i had one audition that was filmed. the whole of my group was the same. it was strange hopw some had 2 shots to sing and others had one. On avarege they only took 18 people from the first day in manchester.
it is a VERY long day whether your in the morning or afternoon. there were people who were their and in the holding area from 8.30am till 6pm. i was there fromm 11.30am and left at 11pm so be prepared to stay the whole day.
None of the TV judge panel are their it is just the casting directors. if you get through the final 100 girls of the competition you will then audition infront of the TV Panel.
If you are going, good luck guys xxx
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