Actors are actively seeking film roles in Atlanta thanks to the city's booming entertainment industry. But every once in a while, actors and casting directors experience some pretty outrageous audition moments. Here are a few:
The most outrageous costume
Casting director and owner of ElleQ Casting LaQuanda Plantt has auditioned thousands of inspiring actors over the years, however, one audition stands out as the most outrageous.
"Two years ago, I was casting for a comedy series, and we did a call for comedic actors. One of the actors, who is now a dear friend of mine, Lem Collins, walked into the audition room wearing what looked like the adult diaper Depends, a sleeveless T-shirt, his Omega Psi Phi gold boots and a Batman mask. He also handed me a self-drawn headshot, which was the worst photo of himself," she said.
"Everyone in the room burst into laughter! It took me almost two minutes to wipe my tears from laughing so hard, gather my composure and continue the audition. However, Mr. Collins never broke character." In fact, Plantt said this audition was probably her most favorite audition to date.
The most outrageous request
Veteran actor Gabriela Rowland recalled an awkward moment during a television audition.
"I was called to audition for a popular Latino television show, and it was with a casting director who was well-known for working with famous clients. I started my audition, and everyone seemed very pleased," she said.
During the audition, the casting director gave Rowland notes and told her to be a little more "Latina". When Rowland asked for further instructions, she said the casting director responded with, "You know, I mean 'more Latina' like the way your mom and dad would speak the English language."
"I was so shocked by her notes and the way she tried to make me more Latina, when I am originally from Chile and I speak Spanish," Rowland said. "Not to mention, she made such racist and stereotypical remarks about my family."
Rowland said that she looked at the casting director, with disapproval, and told her that she didn't understand what she was trying to say.
"She [the casting director] continued with the audition and, since then, I have never heard from her again." Rowland said. "I think, as an actress, we all know we get stereotyped a lot, especially when your looks do not meet their expectations. This does not give anyone the right to tell you to be more than who you are."
The most outrageous weather
Two years ago, Shayla Love attended an audition where the role required an edgy, tough chick preparing to fight. On the way to her audition, Atlanta weather became unfavorable.
“It started pouring down raining out of nowhere,” Love said. The anxious actor waited 15 minutes, in her car, for the rain to subside. Unfortunately, the rain became heavier and it was time for her to enter her audition.
“Of course I had no jacket or umbrella. Not to mention, it was one in a construction area so there were tons of holes overflowing with water and of course, mud.” Love said.
Since the parking was far from the building, she got drenched making a mad dash all the way to the audition. Her hair was dripping wet and the bottom of her pants and shoes were soaked.
“I get in the audition room and a panel of people just sort of stare for a second like 'Yeesh what happened,'” Love said. “I break the silence with a laugh 'Atlanta weather, right?' They all know what I mean and chuckled.”
After the audition, she casually walked back to her car. “There was no need to run, it stopped raining completely,” she said. Love didn’t score the role but is grateful for this experience in her journey.
