"I'm sorry but I don't think you're right for the part." The director told me. That was the story of my life. It was another failed audition. I'm starting to think that deciding to skip college to jump straight into acting was a bad idea. It's been three years since that happened and I still have yet to get a lead role. I haven't even got a recurring role. It really sucks because the only work that I can get is as a waitress. I know it's a competitive business and all but I don't see why they don't like me.
Whoops, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Spencer Carlin and I am an actress…okay I want to be an actress but the only roles, I have been able to get are commercials. They're the commercials that people don't watch. I'm not the T-Mobile Girl, or the Old Spice Guy, or even that douchebag Shamwow Guy. I was just the girl that you may see on your TV before you change the channel or press the mute button. My career was going nowhere and my parents weren't happy about it. Luckily I wasn't struggling to make ends meet. I was living with my agent, Chelsea and her husband/ my brother Clay. I knew it was kind of bad but it was only until I make it big…or turn 22, at which point I go to college.
I walked into the house and was greeted by Chelsea. I'm not actually from California. Clay and I moved here when after I was done with high school. He decided to get what he called an actual job while I went to chase my dream of being on television. In my search for an agent, he met Chelsea who was trying to become an agent. It turned out well for both of us in I got an agent and he met the love of his life. Actually, currently, it was looking like he was getting the better end of the deal.
"So how did it go?" She asked.
"They didn't think I was right for the part." I explained.
"Well I have good news." She responded. "I've booked you two auditions for pilots."
"What are they about?" I asked.
"Well one is about a girl who competes in beauty pageants and the other they wouldn't tell me but I do know that neither of them involve singing." She told me. Singing was the one thing that I didn't want to get a part.
"Well how am I supposed to audition if I don't know what I am auditioning for?" I asked
"Well they did tell me it was for a teen drama so you need to have a dramatic monologue ready." She replied.
"Do you honestly think that I could make people believe that I'm a teenager?" I questioned. I think that I definitely looked 21.
"You still get carded whenever we go out." Chelsea pointed out. "And when we were at that bar the other night, I had a guy say that he would gladly go out with you after you graduate. I told him you graduated three years ago and all he said was not middle school."
Okay ouch. Maybe I should start looking for roles as high school students then. That's what everyone seems to be doing. A lot of actresses got their big breaks playing high school students: Kristen Bell, Sarah Michelle Gellar and even Rachel Bilson. I need to ask myself why I seriously didn't think of this. The only problem was I wasn't quite sure how to play a teen.
"So do you have any advice on how to play a teen?" I asked.
"Just think back to when you were in high school." Chelsea instructed. "Think of the good parts, the bad parts…actually since it's a drama, you should focus on the bad parts. Oh and think of the fights with your parents because those are a definite staple."
"I really didn't fight with my parents all that often. I fought with Glenn but not really anyone else." I reminded her.
"Well think of your fights with Glenn and replace him with a person of authority." She told me. "And lose the sophistication. Tomorrow I'm taking you shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch."
"You don't have to do that." I remarked.
"Spencer, you're my sister-in-law. Sure you're not actually related to your brother, but I am also your agent and you making money means I make money." Chelsea said. "Your first audition is at 3:00."
"It's tomorrow?" I exclaimed. "How am I supposed to prepare a monologue in time to do that?"
"You don't need a monologue for this one." She declared. "This is the one where they gave me a script for you to read."
"So what channels are these pilots supposed to air on anyway?" I asked.
"Well, the first one is for FOX." She told me. Well that wasn't exactly encouraging. They cancel shows left and right. Then again maybe this show could be one of their rare hits. Then again, who was going to watch a show about pageant girls on a major network?
I looked over the script and as it turned out, the writing didn't seem that good. This seemed like it was going to tank badly.
"I know I'm not really supposed to picky but this script really doesn't look any good." I commented "I just don't think that a show like this would last."
"Are you sure?" Chelsea asked. "It could be a surprise hit you know."
"I think I want to take a chance on this other show." I replied. "I mean people still watch teen dramas."
"Well it's for CW." Chelsea explained. "The ratings wouldn't be as good."
"Yes, but CW has a good track record when it comes to teen dramas." I pointed out. "Hell, One Tree Hill is still on even though none of the characters are teens anymore and the main character left the show."
"I thought Sophia Bush played the main character." She remarked.
"No, the show was originally supposed to be able Lucas." I pointed out. "Brooke actually wasn't even in the pilot. It's just over time, Brooke got more and more popular and they basically got to the point where she seemed to be the main character and they could keep the show going even though Lucas and Peyton left."
"Wait do you still watch that show?" She asked. I nodded sheepishly. "That's perfect! Just think of the characters from the early seasons from that show. Chances are the character that they want you to play will be just like one of those."
The next day, Chelsea took me to the mall to buy some teen clothes. God, I didn't even shop at these stores when I was a teenager. The clothes looked even sluttier than they were before. But I guess if I was going to be playing a teenager looking like one would help. I tried one a few sets of clothes to wear to my audition. I finally decided on a midriff-baring tank top and a miniskirt.
"Girl, you look hot." Chelsea complimented.
"I look like I'm open for business." I commented. "I can't believe that girls actually wear this stuff."
"Well they do and you look like one of them." She remarked. "That will be great to wear to the audition. When they see you, they'll want to give you the part on the spot."
"I would prefer if they let me act first." I replied. "At least this audition is not till Wednesday and I'll be able to memorize my monologue and perform it to my best capacity. I did have a feeling that I was going to ace this audition and I couldn't wait.
On Wednesday, I went to the audition and saw that there were several girls. I think some of them actually were in high school. I read my monologue to the producer and I got a few smiles.
"My first question is how old are you?" The producer asked me.
"I'm 21." I answered. "Why do I look too old for the part?"
"No you look perfect." He replied. "I just wanted to make sure that you were over 18. Now what's your name?"
"I'm Spencer Carlin." I replied. I had a good feeling about this. I hoped they were going to offer me the part.
"Well Spencer, I think you would be perfect for the role of Gabby." He told me. "My name is Joseph Williams and I am going to offer the role, so what do you say?"
"Yes!" I answered excitedly. "Thank you."
"No thank you." Joseph replied. "It's not very easy to find someone willing to play a gay teen."
Wait, what?
So I decided to do this story. Ashley will be in the next chapter, I promise. Joseph is played by Ryan Reynolds. Please don't forget to review.
