ACTOR STORY | My First Zoom Callback 

By Webmaster

  • ACTOR STORY
    My First Zoom Callback 

    Let me tell you how it all went down… 

    (The Anonymous Actor)


    (Photo: CoWomen | Unsplash)

    I just had my first virtual callback audition! Let me tell you how it all went down.

    Like many of you, I’m used to old-world acting. I’m old enough to remember a world where your agent sends you a breakdown and you prepare for your audition the night before. Then, the next day, you drive to your audition location.

  • That was the world before Covid-19. These days, we don’t drive to an audition location. We send in self-tapes. If casting directors like our self-tape, they invite us to do a virtual callback, usually over Zoom.

    I recently sent in a self-tape for a commercial, for a popular gaming company. Even though my tape was hastily thrown together, the casting director must have really seen something they liked, because they invited me to do a Zoom callback.


    I wasn’t nervous about the callback. I was nervous about the technology.


    I was ecstatic and nervous at the same time. But I wasn’t nervous about the callback. I was nervous about the technology. You see, I never use Zoom. I’m not very familiar with it. I was afraid I would screw things up.

    In the end, I don’t think I messed up too terribly. But it was a trial-by-fire introduction into our new virtual callback lives.

  • Let me give you a brief tick-tock of how it all went down:

    11am: I read over the details for my callback. My audition timeslot was 1:30pm in the afternoon

    12pm: I ate lunch

    12:45pm: Tried to remember what I wore and what I did during the first audition, so that I could do it again for my callback

    1pm: Set up my self-tape equipment, including my tripod and ring light, and I mounted my cellphone.

    1:15pm: I went to go pee, just to get that out of the way. 🙂

    1:20pm: I set up my backdrop.

    1:30pm: I signed in for the callback

    1:31pm: I began waiting for the host to bring me into the callback session

    1:45pm: Continued to wait…

    1:55pm: Finally, it was my turn!

    1:56pm: After a brief “Hello” and slating my name, the casting director told me he could hear a humming sound in the background. It was my refrigerator. I had to unplug it.

    1:58pm: Next, the CD told me to press “Start Video” on the Zoom app.

    1:59pm: I was a bit thrown off. I wasn’t prepared for the screen to go totally black when it began recording. I had to pause to make sure they could still hear and see me. I quickly regrouped and did the first read.

    2:00pm: Completed the first read. It was awful! I wasn’t in character at all. Wasn’t in the moment. Luckily, I got a second bite at the apple.

    2:02pm: My second read was better. This time I was prepared for the screen to go black. I didn’t get flustered. I got into character and did a pretty decent job with it.

    2:03pm: “Ok. We got it. Thanks,” said the casting director. My time was up.

    2:03pm: I made sure to press “Leave” on the app. I didn’t want them to accidentally record me undressing or anything. 🙂

    2:04pm: I took a deep breath. It was finally over. “I did my best. That’s all you can do,” I told myself.

  • Conclusion 


    (Photo: Markus Winkler | Unsplash)

    The Good: Not having to drive to an audition location.

    The Bad: Dealing with the pressure of a big callback while simultaneously getting used to the Zoom technology.

    All in all, I would say my first Zoom callback was definitely an interesting experience. Can’t wait for the next one!


  • You Might Also Like:
    Meeting with an Agent


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting What’s the main difference? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Erik Mclean/ Unsplash) The same habits you picked up as a theatre actor may cause you a lot of pain,…

    What is Improv?

    What is Improv? Is improv good for acting? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improv is short for improvisation or improvisational theatre. It is a type of theatrical performance that is unscripted….

    Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference?

    QUESTION: Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Bruno Massao | Pexels) QUESTION: What is the difference between a demo reel and a showreel? ANSWER: A demo reel…

    What is a Survival Job? 

    What is a Survival Job? What are some typical survival jobs? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Elevate | Pexels) For actors, a survival job is a job that, quite literally, helps you to survive….

  • Ad

  • What is the Meisner Technique? 

    What is the Meisner Technique? “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) The Meisner Technique is the revolutionary approach to acting that was first introduced by…

    What are Beats? 

    What are Beats? Recognizing the important shifts in the story to deliver a more powerful performance (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) A beat is a slight shift in the thought,…

    What is Pilot Season? 

    What is Pilot Season? A few notes about pilots and pilot season… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A television pilot, also referred to as simply a “pilot”, is a test…

  • Ad

  • What is an Avail? 

    What is an Avail? Explaining this important, non-binding agreement (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) You (or your rep) submitted your materials in response to a breakdown. You secured an audition….

    What is a Casting Director? 

    What is a Casting Director?  The essence of their job is in having an “eye for talent”  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Emmy E | Pexels) A casting director is just that. They are…

    ACTING TECHNIQUE | What is a Button? 

    ACTING TECHNIQUE What is a Button? Putting the finishing touch on a scene  (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anastasiya Gepp | Pexels) You may have heard the expression, “Put a button on it!”, in…

    What is an Audition? 

    What is an Audition? What is the purpose of an audition? (By Jim Webb) An audition is a brief acting performance by an actor or actress in hopes of landing a role in…

    What is Global Rule One? 

    What is Global Rule One?  Breaking down one of SAG-AFTRA’s founding principles  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) Global Rule One (GR1) is a rule within the guidelines of SAG-AFTRA that declares that an actor who…

  • Ad

  • What is an Audition Reader? 

    What is an Audition Reader?  Who, in an audition, plays the other characters in the scene? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Vanilla Bear Films | Unsplash) An audition reader is the person in an…

    What is SAG-AFTRA? 

    What is SAG-AFTRA?  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union that represents actors, particularly in the areas of film and television. Additionally, the union represents other…

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?  Defining your character’s given circumstances  (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Who are you? What do you want in life and why do you want…

  • Ad

  • What is a Talent Agent?

    What is a Talent Agent? Everything you need to know about talent agents (By Staff) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A talent agent is a person who helps actors, models, musicians and other…

    What is a Guest Star Role? 

    What is a Guest Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) A guest star is a character on a television show who…

    What is a Commercial Conflict? 

    What is a Commercial Conflict?  What happens when an actor is sought by a competing brand? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: KoolShooters | Pexels) What happens when an actor performs in a commercial for one advertiser,…

    What is a Co-Star Role?

    What is a Co-Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rene Ranisch/Unsplash) A co-star role is a small role created to help advance the story,…

    What is a Book-Out? 

    What is a Book-Out?  Communicating your unavailability with your agent…  (by Tonya Tannenbaum) A book-out is a notice that an actor sends to their talent rep(s), alerting the rep that the actor will…

  • Ad