This is a very important post because I have some key, failsafe tools for delivering a great cold read! 1.) Have perfect vision so that when your eyes gaze from the script to the reader, your contacts do not shift in your eyes and you do not lose your spot. 2.) Do not get nervous as this will lead to your hand shaking slightly, thus making the script in your hand shake slightly…which can also cause you to lose your place on the page and make you look ridiculous. 3.) Multitask! You must be able to observe what the reader is giving you so you can react appropriately, look at them as you speak, plus…read. Unfortunately for me, I contain none of the three mentioned tools so 100% of the time my cold reads are a hot mess…until today. Today I auditioned for a SAG ultra low paying no budget small low scale film and I gave a GREAT cold read! How? I was emailed the script 4 days ago and I memorized the entire thing! I made sure to give the occasional glance at the script in order to give the illusion that I was just a brilliant cold reader…but having the script memorized allowed me to concentrate more on my stance, my reactions, and taking direction. Another secret weapon that came into powerful effect was that of the actor boyfriend. My whole life I’ve been told not to date actors! This advice is good for NON actors, but my boyfriend understands how my actor brain thinks. He patiently read through my audition sides with me 2-3 times a day starting from the moment I got them! So, to recap! If possible, memorization and dating actors will result in good cold reads! Now I know if I don’t book this film it’s either because I am 20 pounds overweight or my dark brown roots are hideously awaiting their salon appointment on Thursday!
It may sound egotistical, but one of my requirments of dating someone is intelligence and Lauries' got it in spades. She can write! Something I cannot do. And so far I'm amazed at her blogs ... to the point that I cannot wait to read the next one. They are insightful, funny and loaded with uncanny wit. I am always asking her, "When is your next blog coming out?" And I especially like it when she refers to me! Thanks, Baby.
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Posted by: Gary Marachek | 07/07/2011 at 10:59 PM