I'm not an actress. I'm not even going to pretend to be an actress, despite the fact that I spent four years as part of a high school music and drama troupe. Nevertheless, having grown up with the TV as my best friend, there have been times when the thought of becoming one has crossed my mind. The thought is usually accompanied by one that involves lots of plastic surgery and waking up to find out that I have an undiscovered acting ability that rivals that of Angelina Jolie, but I digress. The point is that I have thought about it. What self-professed TV junkie hasn't?Don't laugh, but my dream gig would actually be a front-burner role on one of the better written soaps like General Hospital or The Young & the Restless. I know that most actors and people in general see soaps as a stepping stone to an Oscar or a Golden Globe, not as an end to the career itself, but I'm not most people. I grew up on soaps. I've pretty much been watching them since the womb. I have the utmost respect for its actors. I know that they film in one day what primetime actors film in one week. Despite what some may think, that takes talent. Furthermore, with the exception of strike periods, soaps have always been there for me, five days a week. They're like my favorite pair of jeans or fuzzy socks--comfortable and dependable. I wouldn't mind being those things for a new generation of viewers.
Of course, I know being the next Susan Lucci is just a pipe dream, just like writing a bestseller or winning the lottery is a pipe dream. However, I also know that it's not a pipe dream for a lot of you out there. Some of you actually have the talent and the looks to make the dream a reality. All that you are missing is the one audition that is going to get you noticed and your foot finally in that casting room door.
Now there is a web site that can help you stay up-to-date on auditions and casting calls, TalentHunter.com. TalentHunter.com is not an online employment agency or talent management site. Instead, it is site that maintains a database of upcoming auditions and casting calls occuring all across the country. The site also offers its members the opportunity to create an online portfolio that will increase their exposure to other people in the entertainment business, like talent scouts and producers, as well as give the members the ability to network with said individuals. Finally, the site features numerous testimonials from members who have actually gotten jobs from the auditions that they read about on TalentHunter.com.
Registration at TalentHunter.com and access to the site's audition and casting call information is free. However, if you want to apply to the auditions and casting calls electronically, you'll have to upgrade to TalentHunter.com's paid, gold membership. Gold membership fees vary based on whether how many months that you're paying for at a time. For instance, one month costs $29.99, but if you purchase three months' membership at once, you can get them at the discounted price of $69.99. A three-day trial gold membership, meanwhile, only costs $1.99.
Hey, I just noticed on the site's scrolling list of upcoming auditions that Law & Order is currently holding auditions for extras. If no one wants to hire me as a lawyer in real life, maybe I can just play one on TV. It's a thought.
