for your VINformation

There’s a new agency trying to make it’s name here in NYC, Emerge Talent, LLC; and they want me along for the ride. No shit, really!?! Really, someone saw what Vinnie knew he had inside him forever  – no, not talent, every can see he has that -  Vinnie’s talkin’ money.

Yes, it seems I may finally have someone on my side;  someone looking out for my best interests; someone on the inside who’ll want me to succeed just as much I want me to succeed.

Emerge Talent, LLC,  started in Miami and Orlando as predominantly a modeling agency, but from looking at they people they called in from their picture and resume request three months ago, it looks, to me, they’re going to focusing on character people. Actors with a little life in their life.

From the Website:

With headquarters in Miami and Orlando, Florida, Emerge provides top talent of all dimensions to esteemed clients across the globe. A convenient one-stop agency, Emerge strives to surpass clients’ expectations by maintaining an unparalleled standard of excellence… In our industry, clients seek a professional, reliable, and innovative agency that easily accommodates an assortment of needs—from print modeling, to fashion, and runway, to promotional, to voiceover, to spokesmodel, to commercial, film, and television. Talent is on the horizon, and Emerge is committed to discovering and continually developing a diversity of the highest quality, most select talent.

My call time was 2:20 PM. I was asked to have two contrasting monologues and I was asked to get there ten minutes early. I usually do what I’m told – usually – and discovered, upon arrival, they were running over 40 minutes late. In fact, I wasn’t seen until 3:45 PM over an hour and a half late.

May I say something here?

• Monologues… no one asks for them anymore, I haven’t performed mine for an audition in over a year, the only people who still want them are agents – luckily, I’ve got two I carry around in the wallet of my mind for just such occasions…

May I say something else here? (Who the hell am I asking? Of course I can say something, it’s my blog, I can say anything!)

• The studio had free Internet access, it made the few hours I was there much more tolerable, I think all studios should offer that service, in fact, not to get on a long tangent here, but I think wireless should be free to everyone everywhere – government sponsored, just sayin’…

I get called in, After only 30 seconds of monologue, they stopped me and exclaimed “We must represent you!”

I said, “But I haven’t even acted yet!” She said, “That’s OK, your personality’s great and your headshot is perfect. Give me your second monologue.”

Thirty seconds later…

“Thank you. If you’d wait outside, we’ll call you back in and discuss paperwork and what we need from you…”

I again did what I was told and waited about 45 minutes, until the others and I were ushered back into the room.

“Here are some tax forms we need you fill out and, yes, we know it’s old school, but we’d also like you fill out these stats forms so we can have them on file  in case the Internet is down and we’ve got some emergency casting to do, you’d be surprised how often that happens. We’d also like ten copies of your picture and resume, your resume either printed on the bark or glued to the back. If you are gluing, please don’t make it look like a craft project, we only want the best out there representing us.”

With that she held up a crumpled picture with an  even more crumpled resume staples to it and said, “You might want to represent yourself this way, but we don’t…”

Again, doing what I’m told, I went home and filled out all the paperwork, updated my resume and put together a packet to send out to my agent. I also signed myself up on 800Casting – it’s a great online resume because it allows you to upload video and pictures for each listing on your resume. At only $30.00 a year a bargain at twice the price. Go take a look at my profile.

Of course, I’m not expecting things to change overnight, but it certainly makes me feel good to know I must be doing something right.

At this very moment, I’m on a date with an agent.*

A new agency is moving into town and I submitted myself months ago and heard nothing, “Who needs ‘em!” I thought, until I got an email inviting me in for a meeting and an audition.

So right now, I’m sitting and waiting to be seen, with my two monologues dusted off and polished, my pile of headshots & updated resumes and the best possible attitude.

*this post was written yesterday, I’m not actually writing from the waiting room…

UPDATE  1 -

I am actually sitting in the waiting area typing this. My “scam warning” lights are flashing, they are running about 45 minutes behind and I heard from someone that they are asking for money to get you listed on some database…

I’m not feeling it, but I’m sticking it out. If nothing else, I’ll get to work my monologue.

UPDATE 2 -

There are two ways today can go. You’re either asked to say and fill out paperwork or thanked for your time.

I’m currently waiting to fill out the paperwork.

My second audition of the year – it’s Feburary 12, that’s unacceptable, horrifying even – was an on-camera.

I was called in from a self -submission for an Israeli RC cola commercial, they are looking for a “typical American couple” ala Homer & Marge Simpson or Al & Peg Bundy – they obviously have a high opinion of Americans, but that’s neither here nor there…

I got to the casting session and saw every age, shape and manner of man, which, as I’ve mentioned before, means: if they don’t know what they’re looking for, they’re not looking for me.

I know I can take on a room full of Vinnies and always come out on top, but a room full of everymen leaves me out in the cold.

It shoots in Israel next, which would be really cool, as I’ve never been to Israel and it pays a pretty penny, which I could really use right about now…

The Emerging Artists Theatre Company is cast the first of their twice yearly short play festivals. Since becoming a member, I’ve only missed one, when I was in South America Filming 5 Takes: Latin America.

I’ve had the opportunity to play everything from a bed-bug with theatrical dreams, a pregnant 23 year old victim on familial incest, an ailen question his sexuality and a sado-masochistic German performing artist, what I haven’t had is the chance to play a “real” person.

——

For clarification, as an actor, all the roles I’ve had the great good fortune to play were “real, 3-d, fully-realized people” whatever that means to you and yours, I take my absurdest comedy very, very seriously…

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All I’ve got right now is self-submissions – who do I gotta blow to get an agent, ’cause I will blow someone to get an agent, just sayin’ – Actor’s Access has been very good to me. That’s where I heard about Bernie’s,  5 Takes: Latin America and Bartender Wars.

Now, of course, I submit for almost everything I can because it doesn’t cost me anything – I pay the $69.00 Show Fax Yearly Subscription so submissions are free, otherwise I never would’ve submitted for Bartender Wars ’cause they were looking for “extremely attractive” bartenders…but I digress…

I’ve been submitting myself to the Onion News Network webisodes and I never  get called in – well, yesterday I did.

I always feel an added touch of luck when I get an audition that fits perfectly into my schedule without any rearranging or major heartache. Today was one such day.

I was to play a sad-sack depressed buyer of frozen dinners for one… I have a good feeling – think happy thoughts…

I get so few On-Camera auditions since I’ve become a member of SAG – I never should’ve joined the union, I really think it was a mistake, but anyway, I digress – that when I do get one, it gets me very excited – in fact, when I get one, in my head; I’ve already booked it, spent the money and become a pop-culture icon…

I had a call for A SAG, Indian – India, Indian – Sprite commercial. I guess my new head-shot make me look a little ethnically ambiguous – which is a good thing – but when I up against native Indians, do I really have a shot?

I went in and did the best I could. I don’t think I impressed anyone, but then again I don’t speak Indian either and probably won’t book the spot…

Sometimes, I just go so I can meet the casting people – a contact is a contact.

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I try to get as much audition notices as I can, through Actors Access and Now Casting and Backstage and the Equity Website, I’m also on a few eMail lists.

One of those lists is from Impossible Casting, they get mostly photo shoots and really weird casting assignments, but evey once in a while they have something perfect for me:

TYPE: Testimonial

PRODUCT: SPORTS NUTRITION PRODUCT (WEIGHT LOSS)

SHOOT DATE: Around Monday August 17th

CAST DATE: THURSDAY, Thursday 13th and Friday 14th

USAGE: Unlimited Buyout, All Media (Print, Broadcast, Internet)

RATE: $5000* (*Those who are selected for this campaign could be
financially compensated with a $5000 endorsement contract provided
individuals actually complete the recommended weight loss program,
regardless if we use the “testimony” or images in advertising).

DESCRIPTION: If you have weight to lose, then here’s your shot! An
industry leading Sports Nutrition Company is now recruiting for a
North American television, print and online campaign. Chosen
participants will receive professional consultation and training
advice from industry experts, as well as their own supply of diet
products for a minimum 10-week training regimen. In particular we are
seeking healthy and motivated individuals.

BREAKDOWN:

· Women ages 18–30

· Men ages 18–35

· Outgoing and Energetic

· Must be 30-50 lbs overweight

PLEASE EMAIL THE FOLLOWING TO

1. YOUR NAME, AGE AND PHONE NUMBERS

2. PHOTOS OF YOUR FACE AND FULL BODY – no need for professional photos
(CANDID SNAPSHOTS ARE SUFFICIENT)

3. YOUR SIZING INFORMATION, INCLUDING YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

PLEASE WRITE “SPORTS NUTRITION CASTING” IN THE SUBJECT LINE

So I submitted.

Since I really only have about 15/20 lbs to lose, I actually lied about my weight – I added ten pounds! – and my age, but really, who doesn’t?!!

I am 5′8″ 190 – I’ve recently lost 45 lbs with the help of Weight Watchers, but could use a little help losing the last 30.

I would be a great candidate for this project because I’ve already got the drive to succeed.

With these three pics:

I got an email response, asking:

We were wondering if you were thin in the past and may have a picture from that time. It will really help us to imagine you thin. If you have a picture from when you looked your best that would be amazing

…and to that I replied:

Well, to be quite honest, I started wearing huskies at age 11 and this is currently the thinnest I’ve been my entire adult life, which is one of the reasons I would love to get involved in this project…to achieve my goal weight of 160 lbs.

Currently being in the weight loss/healthy living mindset to begin with, I believe I would give your client the most dramatic results of any participant.

Please feel free to email or call with any other questions/requests.

But then, I found these pictures of when I was hair-pieced and down below 160 lbs and sent them off with a short note:

I found a few pictures of me when I was around 150 lbs…so you can see me at a time I was thin – it was a while ago…

I didn’t hear back…

You don’t often get the chance to audition for three Off-B’way companies – Second Stage, The Public Theatre and Playwright’s Horizon at the same time – in fact, it happens only once a year.

This is the third time in three years I’ve put myself through this call – mayhaps, third times the charm?

I focused almost all my talent on the one person behind the table who looked as if she realllllly didn’t want to be there. She had a mushu pork face* the entire time, and god help me, I wanted nothing more then to change that. After audition #17 a few minutes before, I needed to prove to myself that indeed, I had "it."

I got to the last line, looked her square in the eye and said, "And for me, it’s never been early. So you understand…" I held my character, a moment longer than I usually do and when this bright ear to ear smile crossed her face, I said "thank you" to everyone and left the room feeling I did a fan-fucking-tastic job.

*mushu pork face – say "mushu" you can’t say that work and make a pretty face – go ahead, try it.

If nothing else, I’m going for quantity over quality when it comes to auditioning the next few months….

Getting to the AEA Center much later then I wanted to, I got on the wait list for the audition I wanted and signed up for a West Side Story in North Carolina – they were looking for all the character, non-singing roles; but I truly believe they’re going to cast those smaller roles locally, but, you never know… I figured, I could use it as a chance to practice my monologue for the other audition.

Now, I’ve had some crappy auditions, but never has the auditor answered the phone halfway through my reading!

I was so thrown off, I just sorta stopped, took a second and skipped all the way to the last line, said "thank you" and left – so much for practice…

The same day, in the next room actually was the "non-musical" day of auditions for the Public Theatre in Massachusetts.

I dusted off my monologue from Take Me Out and to use a baseball euphuism, I hit it outta the park!

Afterwards, I was told that I did a very good job with a very good monologue and that they would be coming back and forth to NYC to cast each show – they’re not casting the full season in one shot and that they’d be having call-backs over the next few months.

I don’t know if they said the same thing to everyone, but it made me feel encouraged…

I woke up at the ass-crack of dawn to get myself in line for two more EPAs on Friday.

The first one, for Arkansas Rep; they’re doing a season of shows where the possibility of being cast is great. The need lost of men…I went into the room and made it very clear that I wanted to be in their production of Joseph – something I’ve never done, but really, what could it hurt…

"Hi, my name is Vinnie Costa. I just wanted to put it out there, that not only is Joseph one of my favorite shows and I will do what ever it take to get in that show – I’m just putting it out there…"

I san Sam – but made it even more character-y then I usually do – I really need new songs – and while the auditor didn’t give me much – interest, respect or eye-contact – I feel I gave it may all.

I left the room and gave it up to god.

NYMF – New York Musical Theatre Festival, held another round of combined auditions, the fourth and final – somehow I missed the first two…

There was only one outta five shows this time in which there’d be a role for me, but, I went in and gave it my all.

The accompanist was the same guy who played last week and I guess in order not to become bored, he played it with so much embellishment I had no idea what song I was singing – nothing like thanking a man for actually fucking-up your audition…

The main CD noticed and complimented me on my weight loss, which made the whole day a win!

I’m back!

I went on, technically, six auditions yesterday.

Five were a combined audition for the New York Musical Theatre Festival – there were more people behind the table than at some showcases I’ve been in…

Four out of the five had roles for me and two of the five had casting folk who know me but haven’t seen me since I’ve lost all the weight. I sang the old stand-by Sam, You Made The Pants Too Long – I really need some new audition songs – and got the laughs in all the right places and sounded quite clean and clear.

The other was for a production of Showboat, not my favorite show, and really nothing in it for me – I’m too young for Capt’n Andy – but these folks’ve never seen me and I figured since I was there…

All in all, I was very pleased and now I give it up to God, I know I’m going to book something good, and soon – I feel it!

Without getting down and depressing and beat myself up, I have to believe the director when he said I "brought it" at the audition but just didn’t fit the with the look of the rest of the cast.

I can’t do anything about that, can I?

Oh wait a minute, yes I can – THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN FUCKING DOING BY LOSING 45 POUNDS!

Jesus, Mary and Joseph – why am I doing this?

2000-MINE has not seen very many auditions as I’ve been focusing on my physical transformation from fat-fat to TV-fat, but all that is about to change.

My new headshots will be ready on Tuesday – not only bought but paid for – I’ve updated my resume, I have a closet full of “new” audition clothes which show the change in my body and I’m ready to dive back into the fray with a confidence I haven’t felt in months, nay years.

I used my last old headshot at an audition for the upcoming EAT production of Penny Penniworth – an Equity Transition Contract official Off-Broadway production being done in the fall.

Now, I know when I right for something and I know when something is going to be a long-shot, this I’m right for. It’s a 4 actor/multi-character hilarious Dickensian Comedy that unfolds the poor plights of Penny Penniworth.

I have a feeling, I have have a good chance; but, as with every other audition: I went in, I did the best I could and now, I have to give it up to god.

UPDATE:

It seems god has forsaken me yet again…