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The First Step.
It is the first step of getting a chance to make their dreams come true. And for fulfilling it, they prepare themselves as “the typical Indian cinema hero”.
Now how exactly does our “actor” prepare himself? He wears good filmy (ZATAK; JHATAK or whatever you call it) shirt, or ‘Eastman’ colored t-shirts; Six pocket denim with Nike, Adidas & Reebok look-alikes (‘Nikkei’, ‘addidass’ or ‘readbook’); Big branded watches (Look-alike is the keyword)
And how does he come to know about the audition? The answer is - the coordinator, (“Agent” as they refer themselves), calls or SMSes the ‘actors’ for the location of the studio & time of the audition. Most of the time he/she does this to save himself/herself from the wrath of the director for insufficient ‘actors’ for the audition.
Excited that he’s got THE CALL, our man leaves his residence (usually a rented one) a few hours in advance in order to reach the studio before everyone else. Some of them come from the distant suburbs of Mumbai while some hail from distant places like Panvel, Kalyan, Thane etc. (Outskirts of Mumbai)
After reaching the studio, the actor writes his/her name, phone & coordinator’s (agent) details on plain white paper (all this doesn’t make any sense) in 10 minutes; experienced ‘audition actors’ fill it up in 2 minutes depending on their “moods”. The paper is then slowly filled by 50 people and then within an hour it goes to 100. Just imagine this – One character; 100 actors. Now out of these 100 people, 85 are unfit for the role – simply because they don’t resemble the character frame. But they don’t give up easily because they will convince the person, whose taking the audition, to give them a chance to perform.
Now the whole drama starts. Many of these actors, while on the waiting list, spread or unknowingly pass news about another audition/s that is happening in different studios for either an ad film or film. The actors, whose numbers are toward the end of the list, move to other audition to try their luck at the various other auditions. It’s like the patient who takes an appointment from the doctor and which comes after waiting for a long time in the queue.
I have myself gone for so many auditions for ad films/ feature films etc. so many times, but I don’t understand one thing, i.e., Is it really an audition of the actors? Do they really see or test the acting? Or is it just ‘fake’, an illusion for a client who’s paid the production huge sums of money for choosing an actor and the production in turn reciprocates by taking an audition & selecting an actor. The results of this process are quite the opposite which some of you might have never imagined before. When the end product comes onto the electronic media, you will see a known face or known model, who would never have come for THE audition that day.
The big question here is - What about those 150 actors who came for the audition with their dreams? What will happen to them when they find out that someone who never took the trouble of traveling all the way to the studio, rehearsing their ‘act’ for nights at stretch, sacrificing a day’s meal so that they can have enough money to buy an ‘almost branded garment’ and wishing that at least the job would pay their rent & telephone bills. What would they be experiencing at that very minute when the ad film or the feature film is playing before their eyes and the character that they put their heart and soul to is being played by someone ‘known’? Would they want to look out for another job or work that would pay off their monthly bills?
The corollary to this is - If the actor gets selected for either an ad film or a feature on basis of his talent, looks and/or (may be) experience, the remuneration they get after shoot is very less (almost 90% less than a model). And who is this ‘ideal model’? Simple, a 100% less talented ‘actor’ who is selected only on the basis of there physique (‘Dole Sholes’), good clothes, fair skin and lots of fake attitude with Ray bans, Versace and Gucci for confidence. Seeing all this, our actor is amazed and bewildered. He wonders and thinks that maybe his talent is his weakness? Or maybe his physical appearance? Or maybe the fact that he doesn’t have car, a boy, a driver? Latest cell phone perhaps? He keeps thinking and gets depressed and then finally resorts to a ‘drink session’ with other fellow actors. Actually many actors’ give auditions without any home work or preparation. If they get rejected, many of them don’t work on there negative points and just go and give another audition. This is not good for an actor, for he should always know WHAT he’s going to do and HOW he’s going to do it.
People, who go for interviews, tests, or any other forms of interviews everyday, are actually full of hope and when each day they face the rejection, humiliation, competitions & jealousy, they become bitter, frustrated and depressed. Rejection shatters you into a million pieces. Imagine being shattered everyday, sometimes for no fault of yours. Also, if the person to be rejected happens to be an ‘actor’, it’s so much painful. I’ve experienced this rejection many a times. But if seen in positive light, it gives you the motivation to fight harder & with full passion.
Move over actors, let’s see who these ‘qualified’ people are, who take the auditions for the superb characters for the ad film or feature. They are the juniors/interns/trainees of the creative heads of an ad agency or probably the 5th\6th assistant of the director. They are the people who have never got a chance to direct or explain their concept to any of their superiors (or maybe they are also in the waiting list of the director), so they show there talent and expertise in front of these actors. They believe themselves to be the Indian Steven Spielberg and explain the concept (of the ad film or feature) to the actors. If the actor commits a mistake in front of the camera, the ‘Spielberg’ in them makes them shout out at the actors. They explain to the actor the details of the character and the depth of acting (which is quite contrasting to the initial brief given to the actor) and in the process confuse the actors - the talented lot who have been kept waiting for 5 to 6 hours for reasons like “Camera nahi aaya…DV tapes aa raha hain…Chai nahi aaya…etc) Also, most of the times, the information about ‘how the character has to look and perform’ is passed on by fellow actors waiting in the audition list. All this, mixed with the director’s information, gives rise to the great final performance which is muddled up and badly directed. The actor’s impression has gone bad in the auditioner’s head - Not because of the actor’s talent but because of confusion between Steven Spielberg & himself. Is this the right way to take an audition of an actor? You tell me.
I must tell you about my experience too about that first time when I got a call from Abhiyan, chief assistant director of Rajkumar Santoshi. I met Raj-ji in his office. No big director meets any newcomer or inexperienced actor directly, but he meet me with arms wide open and on a ‘one to one’ basis without any attitude. Let me add that at that time I was a fresher and with no prior experience of acting in front of the camera. I used to work backstage with Pandit Satyadev Dubey and with Makarand Deshpande’s theatre group “ANSH”. But with Raj-ji, we spoke nothing about all this. He just asked me whether I knew who Bhagat singh & his friends were. I told him whatever I knew about them. After the meeting I went home. The very next day I got to know that they selected me for role of ‘Rajguru’ in his film “Legend of Bhagat Singh”. Things looked up for me from there on. Contrary to what others have to say, I respect Raj-ji, for his belief in me and himself. Before this film I gave almost 20 different auditions but was selected for none. But after this movie I did at least five ad films in row without any audition. There are a few directors in the industry who directly call the actor without an audition. I don’t think I need to name them; you might already have started guessing them.
But one big Question is why these Director’s (who always show there own intellect to Media, in interviews, In meeting with producer.’is bar aap dekhiye hum pura cinema badal dalenge) who’s cant visualize the actor who can perform his character. they need audition for that.they are not sure or confident on himself or his team?
Many of good actor didn’t gave even audition’s becoz they say u can c my past work & decide that im fit for your film …this is also right. why ll they prove themselves again ?
Now I hardly get called for an audition or screen test. What is important is that they believe in me. That’s it. I’m not against auditions or screen tests. Even after doing four films I myself went to audition for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal. They selected me over a lot of people solely on basis of my audition. I even auditioned for an International theater group, who wanted to perform here in India. They were searching for Indian actors for their play. Two actors (a fellow actor and me) were selected out 250 actors. But their way of auditions was totally different from our contemporaries.
I still go for an audition, but yes only at those places where they really mean it and value their creation and at the same time respect the time and efforts of the actor. I don’t mind if they don’t choose me in the end for their ad film or feature; doesn’t matter if they find me in-experienced or talented or impressive based on my past performances. My concern is with what I perform and what they expect from me? Did they get what they want from my performance or from how I portrayed the character? Was the attitude of the character exactly the same as the one I gave out? All this matters to me, unlike other auditions, where none of this is explained.
This steps will be always there in front of ACTOR& he should climb the step for next one…………its never-ending story. Only hope hope & hope
15 Responses to “The First Step.”
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very interesting insights in the whole process Santosh… the scenario where you mention all actors waiting for the auditioning and discussing other projects - that’s the same everywhere, even in Hollywood :)
As is said only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches,your descripion of aspirants(i wont like to call them strugglers)and their illusions is so real..And then the reality of auditions and posturig of director’s ADs or adman’s cronies is so true..Very well said and equally well understood and accepted Santosh.
Well, SANTOSH, you mite have met a few jerks, no doubt about that, but there are a few genuine ones too. I can assure you [having done quite a bit of adfilm work] all teh audtions taken are selected with the consent of the producers, finallly the client and the agency. There is a lot of genuine work and lot of genuine characters selected and used in ads, otherwise I don’t think you can ever dig variety and see the vastness in ads as you can see now. And since its character centric you don’t have a choice but to dig. Unless its star endorsed. Also yes audtions can be very tiring, but thats how the system works, and there are good points and bads around..so well… :(:(:(
Santosh,
Thanks for sharing your experience. The frustations are no different than going for job interviews. It brought back memories of my struggling days 12 years back in Bangalore Software industry. I can relate to many things you have said although the process is different.
Agree with you that rejection really motivates and to add to that I would say it makes you do many things you never thought you are capable of.
Superb post Santosh….all that an aspirant needs is “one” good role..that one character that he does more than justice to….eg what you did as rajguru..that was such a superb performance….when i saw the movie and saw your name…i thought you were a south indian and was mightily delighted..thinking wow..a south indian essaying the role of a maharashtrian so perfectly..but later i came to know that was not true..nevertheless it was an exceptional performance..also the role you did in Risk was quite awesome..though you didnt have dialogs your body language was sooo perfect especially the scene where you you fold your body in and rest your head on Vinod Khanna’s lap….I will be very dissapointed if you are not getting enough goo roles after you have proved yourself in LOBS, Risk and Iqbal….good luck bro…
………………….
1?
im aggre with u suchita…..:)but these are very few makers who are really serious about this screen test even like in films also……but maximum maker doesent care about this………..
those ad. makers who always give an example of international ad.making n hollywoods…why they come on ground whn they are making indian adv./
if u are saying star work…these people paid they tons of money & in front of actor who got 5 to 10% of star…..thsi is not done not done
thanks OM …like ur obsevation…thnx for motivation
krysh
hey u got it krysh……….
@D.Santosh,
thats very informative. :)
From your account, one thing is also clear that no matter how rich Hindi film Industry is in terms of wealth, but they still behave like any other sectors of India. Theere is no improvement in day to day handling and behaviour only clothes have become international and branded but attitude seems to be quite narrow.
It looks a happy situiation if only 100 people turn up for screen test for a single character as in other sectors, this number can be 1000 for a single post. This is the scene of everywhere.
Interviews are done but someone else is selected who can have direct access to someone who have privilege to call selectors directly in their interview room to say ” I am sending thsi and this man please take it”. Its everywhere, be it arts or sceinec or commerce.
Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL had conducted a talent hunt in mid 90s. People were asked to apply with a demand draft of some hundreds Rs. It was surely less than 1000=00Rs. Not sure how much money was collected but somewhere it was quoted that close to 10M Rs was collected. It was first attempt in india and young aspirants had applied with lots of hopes but who was selected?
Chandrachurh Singh, Arshad Varsi and two girls.
Now Chandrachurh Singh and Arshad Varsi were not exactly newcomers in technical terms. Hunt was supposed to launch entirely newcomers with no prior commercial experience in acting but they opted safe route and selected somewhat experienced actors for their first film “Tere Mere Sapne”. Dont know whether it was right or wrong as except Arshad Varsi rest three actors are nowhere in active mode. and if some unknown faces were selected then perhaps atleast 4 new faces would have got a chance. whatever…
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Why actors should not go for screen test. Especially when its a period drama or characters are known to all. A good director may always opt for screen test, though its also true that experienced actors will feel insulted.
But here films go far away from other areas of real life. in other areas whenever someone applies for new job he has to go through an interview. he is judged time and again before he gets a new post.
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Somewhere all artistic people fall for this trap of Familiarity. They prefer to give role to their known person whether he suits the role or not.
Santosh bhai, great write-up. I could really get a feel for how rough and discouraging those particular auditions would be..
Really great to hear your experience with Rajkumar Santoshi. Did he “discover” you through an audition as well?
RK… it was 5 new faces… Arshard Warsi (who I think was a choreographer or something to that effect), Chandrachur Singh (wasn’t he discovered by Gulzar-saheb for Maachis?), Mukul Dev (brother of Rahul Dev), Priya Gill (who I think won the Filmfare for Best Female Newcomer over Mahima Chaudhry that year) and Simran (who might’ve done some South Indian films prior to that, either way that’s where she ended up become a star).
Tony Mera Naam…..thnx men this reallty sad but true……….wo subha jaroor aayegi
Haanji Santosh Bhai, aayegi woh subah zaroor aayegi.. times are changing slowly but surely…
Santosh..my roomie is also trying his luck in bollywood. get to hear exactly the same story everyday. but i think atlesat its bit better in adversting. people do get work on the basis of their talent n all. but films is really bad. recenly i think kumar mangat announced a contest to find a new actor opposite his daughter’s debut film. later on gt to know that they selected one of the known guys only. noone from the auditions. n also there is the racket of model coordinators…who is sleeping with whom n so he/she gets to know abt the work n bags the role. its bad out there but its not all black.
Sorry, but I see a contradiction here (sorry if I am mis-reading anything - if I am, please, please correct me). One one hand, there is a criticism of how the system works - 100s of actors show up and audition but the role is given to someone whom the director knows… On the other hand, you speak of situations where you were the beneficiary of direct meeting with the director. Who knows if a 100 poor saps were auditioned for that role with no chance of getting it?
My thoughts are not a criticism of you at all - but rather a musing on how the system works and why it perpetuates —
As an actor would anyone turn down a role which was handed to him/her without an audition? No. I would love to see the actor who says - “No, please audition me and audition the thousand others who want the role. Only give this role to me if I am the best.” It will not happen because it is a question of survival. The reality is that everyone is hoping for that break - where they are noticed, where they don’t have to audition any more.
When no actor is willing to change the system when they get a break, what’s the point of complaining? The system doesn’t change because those who have clambered out of the system through talent, contacts, luck and sheer hard work are not, in any way, motivated to change the system. It is in their best interests to keep the system in tact because it is a hard, tough system, but hey, thank god, they are out of it. Actors could change the system if they united and insisted on some ground rules that treat everyone equally. But in a survival of the fittest, that will never happen.
Dear Santosh,
A wonderful and touching post.
I was there, in that audition queue, waiting endlessly, with hope and anticipation, while someone else walked away with that role over a cellphone call - all this through your words… fantastic.
Its a unfair world, and it seems a lot more skewed, dark and ruthless in this industry, probably because there is so much at stake on the other side. Any system is bound to be plagued with its deficiencies and this one has its own share to dish out.
Like Shripriya mentions, I strongly believe there is a pressing need for an active congregation of the ‘line workers’, whether junior actors, asst directors, asst cameramen etc to come together, and make things work for themselves. When the top rung is minting money I see no reason why the lower rungs should suffer from a deprivation of it.