Days Of Our Lives Open Call and More…

ACTING NEWS

Last Monday, the student film I’m in, Yoshiko On the Dunes, shot a scene in the WORK gallery.  I play the part of Naoki, who is the best friend to Yoshiko.  The director is hoping to shoot the entire film on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.  It’s incredible what these new DSLR cameras can do nowadays!

Days Of Our Lives held an open call this past weekend at the MGM Grand Detroit. Hundreds if not thousands showed up from all over Michigan and rumoredly, even as far as Chicago, to compete for a chance to win a one-day role on a future episode of Days. The night before the open call, I attended an audition workshop with Marnie Saitta, who is the casting director of Days Of Our Lives. I’m so glad I went, I learned a lot of audition do’s and don’ts, and was grateful for the FREE information. The next morning, I woke up bright and early so I could get to Detroit by 8:00AM to get in line for the open call. Current cast members Shawn Christian, Shelley Hennig, Bryan Dattilo, Nadia Bjorlin, and James Reynolds were all in attendance for a fan meet-and-greet, as well. Many casting and talent agents were among the judges, and after passing round one (reading with them) some of us were able to read for Marnie. I was lucky enough to read with Olga from Productions Plus, one of the talent agencies in Michigan (they also have branches in NY and LA). She sent me on to read for Marnie, who told me I had a great natural way about my acting, and asked if I’d received the callback sides and if they had my contact number, and then she gave me a fist bump! Steve Blackwood, who used to play Bart on Days, told me that’s a good sign! He was also there at the event.

The open call ran until 7PM that night, and then the judges and Marnie selected less than 30 actors to invite back for a callback the next morning. I received a call around 9:30PM for the callback!

The next morning, I drove to Detroit yet again, and waited my turn to do my audition in front of the panel of judges for the callback. It included a writer from Days, an NBC exec, and other assorted people I didn’t know. The Days actors were all in the room, as well. We were taken in one by one, and each of us read with one of the actors from Days. I read with James Reynolds! It was a surreal moment because I grew up watching Days with my mother, so it was great meeting so many of them right here in Detroit, and then being able to read with one! Wow!

After everyone auditioned, the judges deliberated for awhile and then brought us all into the room. They selected six finalists (I didn’t make it) and from the six, decided to pick TWO winners because they were so impressed with all of us and couldn’t just pick one! That’s huge! I was proud to know one of the winners. I’m so excited for both of them, it’s an amazing opportunity and I wish them the best of luck.

Right after all of that, I had an audition lined up for the role of Keiko, a Japanese news anchor, in the movie Zomedy, a zombie comedy, that will be shot in Michigan.

PRODUCTION NEWS

A week and a half ago, I worked a couple days on Cedar Rapids as an additional set costumer, and got to meet Ed Helms (who loved my big fur Mongolian hat, by the way) and Sigourney Weaver.  Well, I didn’t really meet Sigourney, but I did stand right next to her on set!  If I can work 28 more union scale days in wardrobe, I can apply to join IATSE.

And, this week, I will be assisting Andrea Syron who is MUA/Hair/Key Costumer for the short Best Girlfriends.

All exciting stuff!  Michigan is happening.  Every day, I am getting closer and closer to making my dreams come true.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Demosthenes:

“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”

Don’t stop dreaming, and keep reaching for the stars!

~cindy