To Nancy or not to Nancy...

Oh, I'm really annoyed now. I sent my form off the day after this thread started and haven't heard a thing back.
Things are getting bad when I can't even get myself a spot on an open audition!
Story of my life really...
Ok, maybe the way to go is to kick up a fuss in the queue! I'm an acTORRR, don't you know!
Have lots of you had the same trouble?

• 16 years ago
• 81

update if this helps.... i sent my form of a couple of weeks ago for the london round. Only got phone call this afternoon regarding my slot on saturday so don't give up hope. My philosophy is... you got to be in it to win it... it's an opportunity to sing in front of the big guns and for that reason alone i'm gonna give it a shot. Have had long discussions with my agent and he doesn't think it can do anything but good.. as long as you're prepared... famous last words - i'll probably end up on a blooper! Good luck all, see you in the queue...

• 16 years ago
• 82

Good luck to everyone who is brave enough to go! Let us know how it goes.
x

• 16 years ago
• 83

An observation... a lot of the really negative comments on this thread have come from the boys, who generally have it so much easier than the girls, because there are less of them in the business looking for work...

I don't know who said it, but all publicity is good publicity.

I have stood in more queues than I care to remember for open auditions and I really wish they still did them for all the shows like they used to.

I have found myself going back to this thread and having to pick out the positive and helpful comments. For those that have put those posts - I thank you very much.

I wish good luck to all of you who go. I don't doubt it will be a long day. I don't doubt you will get cold and hungry.

And remember, those who have been cast in the Maria and Joseph shows were clearly the best from the start, so surely that proves that the best and talented will shine through in the end.

S x

ps: I'm not sure where the idea that they get paid Equity minimum comes from, but I can guarantee you that none of those people are on Equity minimum.

• 16 years ago
• 84

I think its is true that maniny guys have made negative comments, but to just reassure you- there may be more work for men in various jobs etc, but dont think that men have it easier than the girls. I have had times where I have had three auditions a week and not got ONE. I have had to battle depression, unemployment like all others, and many guys have the same experience.

I dont think the guys are being negative, but I can say that pesoanlly I think I am realistic about the tv castings- the general trend has been to say- IF you have the chops for it, count the cost and what you are letting yourself in for.. if you understand this, then go for it-

if realism and gritty truth talking from the guys is negative, then we are negative- but many of us who have said stuff on here battle in different ways to girls.

Having said that, I dont for one second minimize that women have a harder time n an industry that is quiet misogynistic and I am a champion for the women having more roles and more rights.

But its not really that fair to have a go at the guys and say we are being negative, Not one of us men on here would begrudge any one of you getting Nancy- but getting there will not be easy for you, and I think many of us have a protective streak where we dont want anyone of you being thrown to the wolves...

I have female friends in the business who battle hard and I have comforted them and they ahve been there for me in my trials... they sound negative to me sometimes, but the gritty realism is muc h more valuable than a false "oh, you will be wonderful darling". A harsh word spoken in care is more valuable than a false kiss.

Im not angry at all, just explaining how I think us guys approach this to a degree.

And if you go and get recalled- ALL us guys will be cheering from the bleachers.

• 16 years ago
• 85

Well said Blake,
though I don't quite see how being negative about this is relative to a women's plight in the industry? We said the same about Any Dream Will Do, You're The One That I want and all the other cheap-tacky-viewer voting-demoralising shows that embrace this reality culture of underfunded TV Shows!!
If it's true that viewers paying for shows via votes means better telly viewing why aren't we seeing more dramas? And how come, with all the revenue it creates, does the TV license go up each and every year?
It seems that "Looking for a positive" is a way to make it right for an individual to go for it! Nobody has said don't go for it, only to be careful if you're chosen for the show, as it's purposely made for viewing public.
Becuase there's a "dream job" at the end of it, doesn't make it any different than any other reality series out there, so by your own admission, it should be perfectly ok to join Big Brother? Afterall, with fame and notoriety, you can pretty much get a show of your own without winning!
Sorry if this has offended anyone, I'm pretty much outspoken, we're losing jobs, hand over fist, because of these reality shows, though they're not to blame, every club used to have a resident band up till backing tracks came out, a band makes less now (in club land) than they did in the 1970's, in the 80's the birth of Karaoke, and that did the same thing to solo vocalists, undercutting their nightly pay by 50%, This is just the new craze, (x-factor, Idol, Maria, Joseph, grease) So basically, will the next craze abolish professional theatre standards and practices altogether?
We can go with the flow of this current trend, but to what cost?
Rant over, Peace out!

• 16 years ago
• 86

There's a pretty angry post on a theatre discussion board this morning that says this person, along with the others queueing, was told to go home as there were too many people and they wouldn't be seen. I know there's always the chance you won't be seen with these open auditions, but to hear that when you've only just arrived? Perhaps not what you would be hoping to hear if you'd taken the time and effort to prepare and get there.

• 16 years ago
• 87

That is how it is with open auditions. Thats why when they use to have them all the time, they would start at, say 10am, but you'd need to get there by 7 or 8 to stand a reasonable chance of getting seem.

Now they've changed the rules and are only guaranteeing to see people who've sent in their form and had a phone call back, it does seem a little unfair.

Hey ho!

S x

• 16 years ago
• 88

Some people who did have their forms in their hand did get seen but its not defo!! some did some didnt.
There were loads of people kicking up a fuss and quite rightly too but it still didnt help some of them.

• 16 years ago
• 89

Hi all,

I have just spoken to someone at the BBC and explained that I sent my form off on the 11th Jan, so was concerned about not hearing anything and whether it was worth it to go to the auditions or not as they have closed them to people just turning up.

I didn't want to go and not be seen, but didn't not want to go and have my name called out and not be there.

He said that they will be a spill over of auditions TBC and that if I haven't heard from them, not to go.

So, just a heads up for all of you.
I'm not going as I don't think I'll be seen.

Good luck to all of those who heard from the BBC and are auditioning this weekend in London.

Leah.

• 16 years ago
• 90

Hi Leah

Thanks for posting and letting everyone know.

S x

• 16 years ago
• 91

Well guys, I turned up just after 7am this morning, after about an hour they let the first 200 in (including me). I asked if I was on the list as I'd registered but not got a call. And hey presto- I was on the list. So if you've registered in good time you should be on the list at the door, so DO turn up!
I think that they just couldn't phone evryone in time.
Well, I didn't get through but we all know that the first stages are pretty random. They are looking for a very specific type. You go in in batches of 10 to sing the song of their choosing- either As Long as He Needs Me or It's a Fine Life.
No-one from either my group or the group before us got through to actually sing anything that we'd rehearsed. So they are looking for Oliver fanatics that already know all the songs inside out? Possibly. I didn't know the words too well so I had to glance down at the sheet a couple of times which makes it impossible to act through sucessfully. It's a shame I got seen so early and didn't have more time to learn them!
So be prepared to be judged on the preliminary song and not one that you've rehearsed, which is a shame.Lesson learnt- want it more and learn the songs from the show before you go in... or audtion in full costume... oh yes. That might do the trick!
Glad I went- and am i bovvered??
Nah!

• 16 years ago
• 92

Has anyone got through? It would be nice to have someone to get behind!

• 16 years ago
• 93

Hi

Oh well done!

I'm interested now to know who saw you! Was the "he" Trevor Jackson? David Grindrod? Or someone else? Who were there other people on the panel?

If it was Trevor, in my experience he rarely makes any kind of indication of anything when you're auditioning for him!

S x

• 16 years ago
• 94

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7462559686&ref=nf


a new facebook group to share your experiences, created by my friend who went on sunday

• 16 years ago
• 95

Hi all,

Well I ended up going on Sunday morning and yes, my name was on the list as well.

I sang the Nancy song, then they asked me to sing one of my songs and they put me through!
After they put me through, they wanted to find out some interesting facts about me and any hobbies etc that I have. This was because when we went back in the holding area to wait for the 2nd audition, they interviewed us on camera about anything funny that we had said in the audition that the Casting Directors had written down.
I really hope that this is not aired - it was a bit silly what they asked me. For example I said that I like dressing up for fancy dress parties and have dressed up as a dog before. One of their questions was "If they told you to dress up as Bulleye the dog and perform on stage to get the role of Nancy, would you do it"??????

The 2nd round was also great and they were lovely. None of my group (6 of us) got through and he was good enough to give me feedback. He said that I was a little all over the place when performing with my eyes and arms etc, and that all I need is a bit of Musical Theatre training.
This is a given as I only had an hour a week singing lessons in a class of 30 at Drama School.

I was really happy with how it went & I never get through to 2nd rounds.

3 girls before me got through to the 3rd round in a few weeks, so when it's aired I shall be looking out for them.

Thanks for your tip and I'm glad I went.

Leah.

• 16 years ago
• 96

Congrast for getting through to the next round! Its not easy at all to get to that , so well done!!!

• 16 years ago
• 97

Hello all, well same for me! Got through first round then soooooooo much waiting to meet Mr. Grindrod in second round. Hilarious because i've seen him for other auditions.... anyhoo, i didn't get through to final 100. but hey ho, in all a pretty well organised, not too painful day. and saw the likes of anne vosser, james orange and david grindrod all in one fell swoop so happy with that! good luck everybody! x

• 16 years ago
• 98

Interesting that so many professionals should get through to second phase but not in to last 100.
I wonder why?

• 16 years ago
• 99

I think it's a lot about "ticking boxes". They can and will want to take a certain percentage of people who are professional but they also need stories too.... the paul potts' etc... if it was just MT old hands it'd be pretty dull viewing probably...

• 16 years ago
• 100