{"id":2751,"date":"2019-08-14T03:10:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T03:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2019-08-14T03:10:29","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T03:10:29","slug":"screen-test-final-version-for-really-real-this-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/2019\/08\/screen-test-final-version-for-really-real-this-time\/","title":{"rendered":"SCREEN TEST FINAL VERSION for really real this time"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
SCREEN TEST<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 2019<\/span><\/span> Leigh Grissom<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u200b\u201cAre we ready<\/span><\/span>, Stefin<\/span><\/span>?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYessir.\u201d The production assistant <\/span><\/span>made a final adjustment on one of the studio lights<\/span><\/span> and gave him a thumbs-up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSend him in.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRight away.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Stefin<\/span><\/span> ran for the door and called for the first audition of the day.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCutter? <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span> Cutter?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A young man, dark hair, dark eyes, an \u201cold Hollywood\u201d cut to his jaw, with a ready smile and a deep, pleasing voice, walked in.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHello!\u201d the Director called.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The actor held out his hand. <\/span><\/span>\u201cI\u2019m <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span> Cutter.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> shook his hand and <\/span><\/span>eyed <\/span><\/span>him<\/span><\/span> with appreciation. Perfect<\/span><\/span>, from the well-tailored suit to the shine of his shoes<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Even his name would look good in lights. <\/span><\/span>He motioned for <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span> to have a seat on the stool across from the camera. He waited for his assistant to line up the shot, and then smiled warmly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTell us your name for the camera, son.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That smile again, classy, but with a touch of mischief. \u201c<\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span> Cutter, sir. Thank you so much for this opportunity.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs this your first time reading for a<\/span><\/span>n indie<\/span><\/span> film?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Brian<\/span><\/span> looked a little sheepish and gave the <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> a tentative grin. \u201cI<\/span><\/span>t shows?<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt shows you\u2019re ready to take the next leap in your career. You should be proud of that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> looked him ove<\/span><\/span>r, picturing him on a movie poster<\/span><\/span>. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a classic look, <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>. In the day, you could have stolen roles from <\/span><\/span>Gable<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Brian<\/span><\/span>\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cYou think so? <\/span><\/span>Thank you. That means a lot.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Stefin signaled he was ready to begin recording.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Director asked <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>, \u201cWhat part will you be reading?<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping for the part of James Killian?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> shrugged uncertainly. \u201cYou can, but I think you\u2019d be better for the part of the Senator.\u201d He waved a reassuring hand when he saw <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>\u2019s worried look. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>. You read Killian\u2019s lines for the test, and then we might try some of the Senator\u2019s at the end. Your energy is much too good to be wasted on a part that would force you to hide in a fat suit.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSounds great! I\u2019m ready when you are.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Stefin brought out the slate. \u201cScreen test. Cutter, <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Part of James Killian.\u201d The <\/span><\/span>clack<\/span><\/span> echoed around them. He hustled back to the camera and signaled he was ready.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen a slate at an audition.\u201d Brian said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span><\/span>I\u2019m an old man, Brian. It helps me keep track of all of you.\u201d The Director held up a hand and signaled for quiet. \u201cW<\/span><\/span>e\u2019ve got a lot of ground to cover. First, why don\u2019t you <\/span><\/span>give us an official introduction<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span> This will all be edited into your reel.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The actor straightened his collar and smiled at the camera lens. \u201c<\/span><\/span>Hi! <\/span><\/span>I\u2019m <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span> Cutter. I\u2019m originally from Washington, DC.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHow old are you, <\/span><\/span>Brian<\/span><\/span>?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTwenty-nine plus shipping and handling.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> laughed out loud. \u201cI may have to write that into a script! Now, tell us why you were drawn to the acting world.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Brian<\/span><\/span> thoughtfully rubbed the scar on his chin. \u201cI\u2019ve seen \u2026 a lot in my life. Acting provides an escape for me. If I play my role to the fullest, I might help someone else escape, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cExcellent, Mr. Cutter. I can tell you have a heart for the silver screen.\u201d The <\/span><\/span>Director<\/span><\/span> sat down in his chair and lit a cigarette. \u201c<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>he part you\u2019re reading for is a difficult one. His time in this movie is limited, but he runs an intense gamut of emotions. He\u2019s an overpaid, over-fed corporate jackass who believes he\u2019s above the law until it all crashes down around him. He\u2019s very intense, and steals every scene he\u2019s involved in, even if it\u2019s just on the phone. If you end up in that fat suit, it\u2019ll be tough to use body language or expression to get your point across, so bring your voice to the forefront. Understood?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n