Thursday, October 12, 2006
Lesson Learned
I believe you learn something new every day.
While at choir practice last night, I received a call from a casting agent in the US. He told me he had found me on the internet and had listened to my demos which he liked very much. He said that he was casting for TV and radio ads for a new anti-allergy medication and he wanted to know if I had time to audition for him on the phone.
***NEWS BREAK***NEWS BREAK*** 4:33 pm, October 12, 2006 - IT IS SNOWING IN TORONTO! -end of news break - back to Lesson Learned.
I explained I was at choir practice but I'd be happy to comply and waited for instructions. They were not long in coming.
"Sneeze," he said.
"I beg your pardon," I said.
"I want you to give me a large, noisy sneeze," he confirmed.
Here I am, standing in the hallway of a community centre, trying to conjur up a convincing sneeze. No, no - that's not what he wanted - he wanted a 'real' sneeze. He suggested I get some pepper. I reminded him where I was and that no pepper was available. He suggested I get some toilet paper from the washroom, roll it up and stick it up my nose. Apparently that should make one sneeze. I was so glad no one came into the washroom. But, alas, the old rolled up toilet paper didn't do the trick. After 5 minutes of trying, unsuccessfully, to get me to sneeze, he said he'd call back at another time when I would be at home.
I went back to choir practice, realizing ruefully that stardom had passed me by yet again. I was certain he would find someone else who would be able to sneeze for him.
This morning, shortly after getting up, I sneezed twice. Two beautifully formed, loud, raucous sneezes. Where were they last night when I needed them! Then, around mid-morning, I got another call. He suggested I take a pinch of pepper and sniff it up into my nostril like snuff. The result, I coughed, I choked, I turned red - but, alas, I didn't sneeze. We tried many more little tricks but to no avail.
So, the lesson I have learned today is - I, Elaine Singer,who can portray anything from the neighbour next door to a cute baby, who can narrate a corporate presentation with authority and dignity, who can convincingly record an audio book, cannot sneeze on demand. Oh woe is me - alas and alack. (Now I did manage to record a couple of quite authentic sneezes - only time will tell if they will pass muster with our casting friend from the south.)
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Elaine,
That is a great story! Timing is everything, isn't it? With all that snow in T-O though, it sounds like you can "freeze on demand." And most of us guys can "snooze on demand.":)
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That is a great story! Timing is everything, isn't it? With all that snow in T-O though, it sounds like you can "freeze on demand." And most of us guys can "snooze on demand.":)
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