Wednesday, November 11, 2009

near misses: three truths

in hollywood, for every job you get there are dozens you don't. when i started auditioning as a teenager, someone wise warned me that there were 500 actors for any given role. that is why when asked about getting into the business, i always advise caution concerning the odds of making rent. i say only pursue it if there is absolutely NOTHING else you like/want/need to do. if you are resilient with a short term memory, you might be able to persevere. for better or worse, i have spied that elusive brass ring of overnight success. lets talk about three of them, that i remember.

1. mr. matthew mcconaughey.
the charm and abdominal strength you see on film exists in real life. i witnessed them both first hand one afternoon in a van nuys sound stage. after a successful audition for a first time director, the now insanely successful adam shankman, i was asked to read with the film's star on camera. the studio had their picks but adam wanted me to do well. i accepted his work session invitation at his dance studio before the test. i was the only one and this was once again looking like my kind of opportunity: a clever supporting role a charming romantic comedy with a young director at a small studio. could this be the one??

The Wedding Planner would have been my second film with mcconaughey. although we didn't work together, we were both in a small movie called Glory Daze. (um, also starring sam rockwell, ben affleck and french stewart to name a few...) i referenced it when we met and instantly bonded over storytelling and character acting. one of the scenes i had to do was emotional. he saw i had done my homework, so he skipped a break to do the scene right away. despite our instant rapport and a pleasingly executed 40 minute filmed audition, a studio darling would once again claim the trophy. boo.

2. miss shannen doherty.
i was on the set of one my greatest victories. i had won the role of the feisty tempestuous daughter of none other than ann-margret: my hero! we were filming episode 5 of a seven episode ordered mid-season series call Four Corners. this was a dream job for me: red hair, horses, kamar de los reyes! it was a primetime soap by the creators of knots landing. i played a wild youth in love with a priest(kamar) bent on returning him to my bed.

on the same day i heard we had been cancelled after only 2 nights of airings, my manager said she had a test offer for supernatural show called Charmed. i read the pilot and loved it, but i was reeling from disappointment and vulnerable to my manager's recommendation to pass. and so i did. oops. this is my one regret of my career. truthfully, the part was shannen's. i had no shot. but i almost never turn down opportunities. sometime i probably should, but ultimately for me, it feels worse to not try.

3.mr. rupert everett.
here we go again! one friday night got a call from my agent for an audition the next morning. unusual, but occasionally a weekend audition happens during tv pilot season. this is a time of high stress for actors, agents and casting directors. for about 3 months, big life changing last minute decisions are made. at one point in my life i had 20 auditions a week with a record 7 test deals on the table. (its own blog entry...) but an actor can only test for ONE in first position. this means you have to decide which show you want the most or have the best chance of getting. either way, you have to gamble what could be 7 years plus syndication! so an actor has to negotiate a contract and sign a deal before going in for the final reading with the studio and network executives. this can be one or two readings after a long process of making it through casting directors, producers, writers and directors. and you can get cut between the two. just simply asked to leave. so you can imagine how important the season is when you wait and wait for THE/ANY opportunity.

so here i am, ready to jump for another audition even if was 7:30 on saturday morning with no preparation time. unfortunately, that was not the only complication. the producers were replacing an actress in a pilot written by the creator of Mad About You for NBC. it was the second most expensive pilot of the season. (heather locklear's was the most) so this meant it was secret, fast and desirable. but my only immediate concern was that i had to wake up at 6am and not get paid for it!

i don't know what was in my coffee, but it turned out to be meeting to remember. i jumped into the comedy deep end and gave them a very original reading. it was a situation where they couldn't quite figure out who the character needed to be, so i guess they thought they could try anything with me. i got the role that day and did the deal on sunday having to fax contracts from kinkos. why does your technology break only when you really need? usually, pilots cast and shoot quickly but it was one for the books. not having a test session for network almost NEVER happens. even stars have to test, but they were under the gun and i got lucky.

so far so good, every thing going my way. now the catch: i needed to start the next day, monday, because production had already begun and taping was scheduled for friday. the problem? i had a 6 am call on a farm an hour outside of los angeles on ANOTHER job. without auditioning, i had been offered the role of lori loughlin's sister in Summerland. it was only going to take a few days to film and i thought it would be a great to start a whole series. (my character died leaving her kids to lori's character) whats the harm in taking this little job..? well, now that i booked another, i had to do 2 jobs, 2 days of the 5 days left on the 1/2 hour pilot. and on primetime sets, a minimum work day is 12 hours. hmmm.

now this is not the first time i worked 2 sets on the same day, but it may have been the most difficult. these were both brand new productions where everyone is still figuring out what they want. crews don't know each other well yet and many, many decisions have to be made. any little choice can be the difference between being picked up or abandoned by the network. so i worked a good 12 hours in a farmhouse then read the brand-new-re-written-since-audition-sit-com pilot while driving from simi valley to disney in burbank to rehearse for another 4. (note to agent: this is when production should get you driver!)

comedy is NOT easy. ask anyone, a comedy pilot is one of the most challenging to do well. if you don't deliver the joke and get a laugh once, it's gone. now this isn't exclusively an actor's problem. its also the writers problem and the directors problem. after about 8 hours of rehearsing, there are run-throughs at the end of everyday. that night the writers can re-write the whole show top to bottom for a table read at 8am the next morning. you have to sell it having maybe read it once. and your character may change right along with the jokes. i had the added bonus: they were confused about my character from the get go. lets just say, i never worked so hard in my life. well, this kind of work: always looking for the joke and trying to define the character. there is no margin for error in sit-com. no laugh=no good. pilots usually rehearse for 2 weeks with a marathon tape day at the end. i had basically a quarter of that time and 4 times the changes. but i had motivation: a fabulous cast lead by sexy brit with a quick wit.

rupert everett was lovely and fun and always knew who he was. he just wanted it funny and tried everything. i had many scenes with him as my character was "his girl friday" and hopelessly in love with the unattainable man. but we ALL were truly trying to find our way. each of us had our own challenges to overcome in this heightened reality. one of mine was a knock down drag out fight with an actor who happens to be a little person. the experience bonded us for life and we are still very close. but the most remarkable moments were both calming down and building up SIR derek jacobi. yes he is a KNIGHT. people please google him. one of the finest actors ever. a week after we finished taping he was staring in hamlet, and THIS made him nervous. so maybe you all believe me when i try to describe the pain of creating this form of entertainment. i literally held his hand as we walked out to introduce ourselves to the audience. oh, did i mention the live audience taping at the end of this grueling week??

despite the fact we created a wild british farce, the show would never make the airwaves. it was crazy, unique and ahead of it's time. a repeating theme in my career. oh btw, the heather locklear pilot didn't get an order either. so there. (she is soooo great btw, melrose place. um, yeah, its own blog.)

36 comments:

  1. Thanks Megan for blogging!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Megan! It's always important to start off with a capital of the beginning of your sentences.. but understood why you didn't. This is longgg! or your lazy :x

    anyways. you're awesome like alwayss.. Thanks for blogging :]

    ReplyDelete
  3. fyi thank you for blogging before 2am my time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I meant to also say.....dang, I am now eliminated from the 10 truths and a lie!!!! :( Darn that Charmed role...you definitely surprised me by turning it down!

    Anyway, thanks Megan for the blog. I truly enjoyed reading these experiences and once again, I just am so amazed at the life you have led in the acting business and all the stories you are sharing with us! I am now really looking forward to finding out the one lie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow. I freaking LOVE these backstage, behind-the-scenes stories.

    You have to write a book. You just HAVE to.

    Thanks so much for blogging three more truths. Can't wait for the rest. And for the lie.

    Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the blog Megan. You are so great at the story telling. Love reading it! Thanks so much for giving us your time and blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for blogging, Megan! Like Julie said, you have to (ok, should…no pressure)write a book…you’ll have a good start after finishing the 10 truths here, right?

    The video on Insider was just too cute. Loved that they put the best up first!

    And I’m still in the game, at least for now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow Megan, I can't imagine how you could work long hours and then be able to read a brand new script and switch to a different character for the next pilot in such a short time. You are a true multi tasking person and very smart. Thanks for sharing your amazing, funny and imformative stories I enjoyed them a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are a great storyteller - you were made to blog (and we fans really appreciate). Saw mr. Jacobi in his one-man show in westwood, back in my collegiate days, he is an amazing performer.

    PS - so glad I can keep up with your blog even in CR (takes my mind off the needles!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're so awesome!!! What a Great Life you have :)! Thank you for the nice loooooong blog (since you know we check every five minutes to see if you have blogged..lol)Love you forever and a day!

    P.S~ New Event Planned??? Please.....

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Megan,
    This is almost like a career biography!I'm sure you have many more stories and for you to share your daily experience as an actress is wonderful.Hope the next audition will be the one that you really really want and get!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow Megan long blog this time, but I love it.
    You r the best Ms Megan and we love yu.

    xoxoxo
    dinah "bartender"

    ReplyDelete
  13. Woot Woot still in the game baby.... I feel like I am part of one of those damn reality tv shows (pet peeve...I hate them). Once again i simply state YOU MUST WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY!! the experiences that you have been thru all these 25 yrs ;-)~ are witty,endearing and educational. Lessons to be learned at every corner. Kinda sad about the charmed thing because those are my kinda shows (still sad they are canceling eastwick.

    in any case thank youuuuuu for bloging again. you are truly missed..then again with the previous list we can see why you were MIA. I think we got cross eyed after the first few. Heck 7 Halloween parties you social butterfly you lol Will Xmas be 15? Peace Love Luck.

    ReplyDelete
  14. thanks for blogging megan!!! i love storytime and its the longest blog in a while....appreciate it And i agree with julie i hope the next audition is the one you want and get!!!! Love and support you always!!!

    Love and respect,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for taking the time (from length of this, I'm sure it took awhile) to blog for your adoring fans. Your entry provided a lot of insight and perspective. As viewers/fans, I realize just how spoiled we are. We get the pleasure of viewing final products without having any clue about all the hard work and stress behind the scenes. You have a talent for making every role look realistic and effortless, which clearly they are not.

    Hope you are getting a few minutes to catch your breath this month.

    peace, love, & enormous gratitude

    ReplyDelete
  16. Holy cow, this is a long blog! But it's very appreciated. =) Love lovee loveee hearing these stories! Thanks for blogging! <3

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the great blog Megan. You never disappoint. You tell the best stories. Until next time.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow Megan, great stories. Like Stacey said, most of us have no clue about how much time, effort, and hard work is put into the productions we view...not to mention all the work that is done on things that we never see. It must take a true love of "story-telling" that keeps one driven in an industry that is so competitive and full of near misses. I sure am glad you keep plugging along.

    I'm still in the game as my pick has not been revealed yet.

    ReplyDelete
  19. OMG my stomach was in knots by #3. Geez, you have stuck your neck out there! Just wow. I'm at a loss for words (shocking i know lol). The highs and lows of your business are insane! Why so many lose their way and get messed up in one thing or another i'm sure. Yet again, why YOU are so inspirational to so many of us outside the shadows of Hollywood.

    This truly was an awesome read. You may have to seriously consider writing a tell all...

    Thanks for the great blog and i too am still in the game :) Keep your faith and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for the latest blog Megan and for giving us more "truths". So enjoy reading these stories about what occurs in the entertainment biz. We on the other side of the TV or movie screen just have no idea. Thanks again for sharing.

    Claire

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for blogging, this was very enjoyable to read. And YES!!! I'm still in the hunt. Oh YEAH! OH YEAH!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you Megan for giving us the low down on these "truths"! It made for a very interesting read!



    Kellie

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you Megan, enjoying the "truths". It is a miracle that I am still in this contest.
    I was tempted to draw a number out of a hat to select my choice which is what I used to do with the office football pool(it drove the men crazy when I would win) but instead I chose a more scientificly sound method. LOL.

    Dottie

    ReplyDelete
  24. Good Lord, woman... It took me 3 days to finish reading this. Thanks for your insightful, behind the scenes view of the audition process. How nerve wracking! I would be addicted to Valium if I was you! (or at least an occasional maraweenie joint) ;-)

    Thank you Megan for taking time out of your very busy schedule to blog for us..... Have I told you lately that "you're da best"???

    <3
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you for taking the time to write these blogs, Megan! I truly enjoy reading each one, as unique & different as each are. I appreciate being given a chance to see a part of your life & the perspective you give to your experiences, as an actor, a mother, and all these other "hats" you seem to 'wear'. This particular blog was quite a gem for giving a rare seen glimpse into the actor's life, almost like a backstage pass.

    Perhaps you would consider writing a book similar to Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" but from the perspectice of an actor? Your conversational method of writing, complete with your ability for introspection, would likely make a similarly intriguing read. Thanks again for writing! I've enjoyed reading it all.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks so much for blogging Megan. Your storytelling is so much fun to read. I'm enjoying these "truths" SO much and I hope we get to to hear more of your showbiz stories even after all truths are revealed. I would love to read about your working experiences with fellow actors like Ann-Margret, Patty Duke, Heather Locklear, etc.

    I actually watched the short lived Four Corners and LOVED it. I was so disappointed when it was not continued. I too admire Ann-Margret and loved that she was going to star in her own TV series. I was also thrilled to see that THE Megan Ward was going to play her daughter. It looked like a fantastic role for you. Bummer all the way. Darn TV executives. Keep hoping at least one of the episodes will turn up on YouTube.

    It sounds like the British farce would have been fun - we didn't get to see you have that knock down drag out fight. Now that would have been fun to see. :D

    Thanks again for blogging. I think you should write an AUTOBIOGRAPHY too. Just saying. I can't wait to read the rest of the "truths" and learn the "lie" I am still in the game. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Is it truth you don't want to do another fan event?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Megan you don't want to do another fan event? I hope this isn't true :-(

    ReplyDelete
  29. I can't wait till the next eventSSSSSS :D Very much looking forward to CHICAGO for sure!!! Love your blogs Megan look forward to the next one. Hope you have a great Turkey Day!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy Thanksgiving Megan!! :) Have a great time with family and friends, and don't forget us FANS of yours that love you too!! Miss you sweetie!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. are you going to blog soon??? hope so!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. sooooooo since Xmas is just around the corner
    =-)~ & it is my hands down favorite all time holiday lol well that and i am actually one of the very few who enjoys their own bday..even though it kinda bites since it is the day after xmas ;/ Speaking of xmas lol what would it be without a few fun videos to kick in some holiday cheer ...Beware more to come i am sure lol

    sincerely
    the ever angelic 1

    http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/vGTxc6Aoyxmv93PL

    ReplyDelete
  33. Are you still going to blogging for us?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Is it delusional to hope you'll blog again soon? :) Looking forward to it. You have disappeared. :( Hope you're having a great holiday season.

    ReplyDelete
  35. top 10 reasons why i think megan should blog again.

    1.asian girl miss you.
    2.asian girl miss you.
    3.asian girl miss you.
    4.asian girl miss you.
    5.aisan girl miss you.
    6.asian girl miss you.
    7.asian girl miss you.
    8.asian girl miss you.
    9.asian girl miss you.
    10.i miss googling for those big words you use.

    hope your having a happy holiday with your family!

    xoxo - the asian girl who miss you.

    ReplyDelete