Lito "El Caido" Rodriguez (lito) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2018-09-29 14:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, lito rodriguez, marguerite blakeney |
Who: Lito and Marguerite
What: Call backs
When: Afternoon, 22 September 2018
Where: Theatre company
Warnings: Low
Status: Log | Complete
And despite the randomness that was Orange County, it seemed that it had ended in time for the callbacks that Saturday. Well no, but the one girl from the network who had also auditioned hadn’t seemed to be affected and was able to do the callbacks the night before for the Moulin Rouge girls and would be coming back tomorrow for the more group chemistry reads. Today however was for the initial chemistry reads for the male characters and both she and Corey were there for where they were required.
The process was fairly simple. Everyone was in the audience, and then people would be called up and given the scene they were expected to read from. It had alternated scenes, if she or Corey were needed, things of that nature. The current scene that was being gone through with various potential actors was for the role of the Duke, and one of the only scenes that required both her and Corey. There had been a number of read throughs and finally it was over and it was back to the seat in the audience she’d chosen and pulled out her mobile to send a quick text to her husband. She was known as the greatest actress in Europe in her dreams for a reason, something that was true for her in this world as well. She embodied her roles, even in call backs, and so the emotions of the scene required that quick text to her husband.
“All right, take a thirty minute lunch and then come back and we’ll start the next batch of scenes.”
Marguerite had already read across many of the actors who had been there for callbacks given Satine had scenes with basically all the male roles except Santiago. But for now, it was putting her things away so she could go to the deli near the theatre she liked in order to get a quick lunch and get back.
Lito had never been more relieved in his life when he woke up the morning of Saturday in his bed, in his normal size, with his normal thoughts. Certainly that he had woken up with so many cheesepuff wrappers on his bed was a big concerning, but less so than his anxiety that he would have to skip a call back for something he really wanted to try out for. Thankfully things had a way of working themselves out in Orange County, and usually in his favor.
Having watched the first half of the callbacks, Lito felt uncharacteristically nervous. Everyone here was good, very good, and he felt very out of his element. Although Lito had wanted the role of Zidler, and the idea of a French man with a Spanish accent was entirely more funny to him than it ought to have been. Everyone had taken a break for lunch, save Lito. Zidler, Toulouse, Santiago. Anything would have suited him just fine so long as he got the exposure, and a little more legitimacy in his career. He was tired of the films he was doing, and had turned down the last several offers because they just seemed to get more ridiculous as the projects went on.
There was a piece of him that could feel Will, Sun, and Kala with him. Their energy calmed him down as he took a deep breath and began reciting the lines from the script in his hand, the lines for Toulouse. Maybe other people were ready to take a break, but not Lito. This was it for him. Either he managed to get this, or he would just retire back to telenovelas. At least they paid well.
Noticing Lito, Marguerite made a quick decision and told sent Corey a text telling him to pick up her usual before she made her way over to where Lito was. She was ever the social one, and well, she knew how nerve wracking call backs could be. Just because she had agreed to the role of Satine before even knowing what it was this time around didn’t mean she was at all unfamiliar with the nerves of auditions.
So, leaning her elbows on the back of the seat near Lito, the actress tilted her head to the side some.
“Are you sure you don’t want to get something to eat to keep your energy up?”
Because that was also important. There was getting a feel for the lines and scenes, and honestly she should probably check to see what the next scene she’d need to read for but right now it was making sure Lito took care of himself.
The roles were usually reversed for Lito. As a galan de telenovelas he was used to being in Marguerite’s position. Usually he was merely supposed to show up and see who he had the most chemistry with, actually auditioning was a little different now from the last time he had really had to do so. At her words, he gave her a smile and shook his head.
“No thank you,” he answered. Food right now would have made him feel bloated, and depending on what he ate, it might have even broken his concentration. Lito had water, and plenty of it so that the worst case was that he would be dancing around like his twelve year old self from the previous few days. “When this is over, I can get lunch. It seems to me you’re going to have quite a challenge casting this show, there are quite a lot of talented people here today.”
Marguerite had always been particular about just being given roles because while she knew her talent, she also didn’t want to take things for granted. Andrew really was the only one who could get her to agree to a role without her auditioning for it. Instead she just gave a slight nod to the comment on not wanting to go get food.
“If you’re sure. I don’t know how long these will go, but there’s a vending machine in the lobby with a good selection in case you need something before the end.” Then again, nerves could also be a good hunger suppressant. So there was that as well. As for her doing the casting? Marguerite laughed some and shook her head.
“Oh, that’s all Andrew, as well as the music director and choreographer. I just show up when I’m told and read what I’m given.”
“Spoken like a true leading lady,” he quipped and gave Marguerite a wink. There were times when these auditions were rigged, they were conducted for the sake of appearances because often the directors or producers all ready knew who they wanted. That had never discouraged Lito from trying to land roles in films or soap operas, and it wasn’t going to discourage him now, even though that didn’t seem to be the case here. Those situations were far easier to spot hen some of the people auditoning, or getting call backs were terrible, and there was no one he had seen that was even mediocre.
As a general rule, he stayed away from vending machines. Too many carbs, too much sugar, and an overabundance of salt. None of those were good for him, though neither were the three bags of cheese puffs his twelve year old self had eaten over the last few days. “I’m sure no matter who they decide on, the talent in this room is incredible.”
“What can I say. I make this my life, I should hope I know how to properly respond.” Grinning some, she gave a slight shrug. Marguerite herself knew how fickle the acting business could be. The way some directors were. And while she and Corey had basically been chosen before the show was even finalized, it wasn’t like they didn’t put forth the work. Andrew just had worked with them so often he knew that they would be a good fit.
Vending machines could be tricky but there were some more healthy options as well given the fact that once they got into tech and dress rehearsals, the cast and crew would be living in the building. Then there was also the regular vending machine fare.
“You are certainly right about that. In every show I’ve done with Andrew, he has always put together the best cast lists. He can see things in those who audition that they might not notice for themselves. He’s really good at what he does and who he chooses to come back to a call back and who gets the eventual role.”
Lito was glad to hear that that was the case. Even as someone who was used to losing out on roles, usually with the excuse that he had an accent, it was nice to hear that things might have been on an even playing field for all involved. “I’ll be honest, the last time I did a play was over fifteen years ago. I always wanted to go back to theater, but there was never any time between projects.”
Mostly because he had gone from one novela, to another so quickly, that he hadn’t really had the time to pick out projects he wanted to pursue. In his opinion, theater was harder than movies, or soaps. If one messed up on a take you just did it again, there were no second chances in live theater performances. That was part of the excitement, and the draw. Part of what made it exciting and different. Certainly more people might see a show, but theater had a way of impacting people, and one could see their reactions right away.
That was something Marguerite always appreciated about live theatre. While there was definitely favoritism that could be involved, especially in smaller pools, she always found that there was a better shot at people getting an equal shot at auditions. Oh sure, some shows had their gimmick casting of big name Hollywood stars that could make her roll her eyes, but for the most part? Marguerite found that live theatre with all its moving parts had more opportunities for people.
“That makes sense. It takes a lot of time to put together a show. So I’m glad you were able to audition for this”
Like Lito, there was also the feeling of more complexity involved for Marguerite when it came to live performances. You had to be in the moment, always. There were no do overs. If you messed up then you just had to go with it and no two performances were ever quite the same just because of the energy and feeling the energy from the audience.
“So, which scene are you reading for next?”
“That first scene after Welcome to the Moulin Rouge,” Lito answered, looking at his copy of the lines. “Santiago might have been an easier choice given the accent, but I like a challenge.” He chuckled at himself and shrugged. He had watched Beauty and the Beast in an attempt to figure out a French accent, but it never came. At least, not a good one where Lito didn’t sound like he was trying to murder Lumiere. No matter which part he got, if he did manage to score one, it would be a work in progress for a little while.
Ideally, he realized, he should have gone for a part in something that might have been more of his comfort zone. An In the Heights, or something to that effect. He could have owned the part of Usnavi, but what fun was that. None at all, he had reasoned.
Marguerite nodded some. So not one of the scenes she was needed for. Always good to know.
“Perhaps, but I agree. Challenges are what makes it fun. Besides I have a feeling that scene will be one where roles either get moved around or gone through while notes are made because even if you read just for Toulouse, they may also consider you in Santiago.” It was hard to see. Even so, given she had looked over Corey’s scenes, she knew that he’d get to have fun in that scene. And it was one of the more light hearted scenes. Which was important to show all those sides given the variety of emotions throughout the show.
“Corey is a wonderful scene partner to act against.”
There were the more easy roles that came up, but then again there was also the limitation on what was opening and having auditions at any one given point in time. Ah the joys of being an actor.
Lito needed Capheus and his optimism. Not because he didn’t think he could portray it on his own, but he tended to get stuck in his own head sometimes and overthink things. Capheus in his dreams had such unbridled optimism about everything that he was certain between the two of them, they could nail this audition. Unfortunately, Capheus was seemingly not in Orange County, or anywhere that Lito could access like he could with the others. Instead, he would have to draw on the memories of Capheus from his dreams.
“I’m excited to act against him.” He was, nervous as both he and Marguerite were the professional stage actors, but excited as he had heard very much about the both of them. Ultimately, this would be a learning experience. Something to use in whatever his future projects might be.
It certainly was strange the way the Dreams could change thing, or just make you wish for people to show up. Marguerite had been the same when she first had been in the area, dreaming of Percy. Even in her live let live ways, refusing to hold on for a man she might never meet…. She could remember that feeling of wishing someone was there and only having the memories of the dreams. Even if it was a completely different situation.
“You’ll do fine. I mean, you got this far.”
True not everyone would be cast, but even getting to the call backs was impressive. Marguerite meant it when she said Andrew chose the best people even in just calling them back.
He smiled easily at her and bowed his head slightly. “Thank you.” It was the confidence boost he needed in that moment, though a you got this from Will would not have been ill received. The dreams were distracting, as were the strange happenings of Orange County in general. Remembering the few days leading up to the callbacks, Lito dropped the hand holding the script to his side. It was as though he had suddenly remembered something, and he had. He still have about three hundred dollars worth of Nerf toys sitting in his living room from when his twelve year old self had assaulted his credit card. Luckily, three hundred dollars had seemed like a lot to a twelve year old, otherwise the results could have been catastrophic and hilarious.
“By any chance, would you happen to know a place I can donate some Nerf items?” He laughed at the absurdity of his question. He supposed maybe the Boys and Girls Club of Orange County, but there might have been some other worthy charities. He just didn’t know any off the top of his head.
Marguerite was all too familiar with how the Dreams could be. Add in performing the role of herself in the musical version of her Dreams while dreaming about a different set? Compartmentalization was a thing, but it was also something that took learning in this area. But it was what it was and the actress had faith that Lito would do just fine and be able to figure out the ways to navigate such things when dealing with Orange County and auditions or rehearsals.
As for the question? She blinked though she supposed it wasn’t so odd. She had been aware of the situation that had been going on the week leading into the call backs.
“I know there’s the Jean Grey Outreach Center that works with disadvantaged youth. Then there’s my husband’s nonprofit, Pimpernel Outreach since we do work with children as well.”
Lito nodded his head in response. Things like what happened in Orange County didn’t happen in La D.F. These were things that had to be in the water, there was no other explanation he could think of for it. If he had to choose though, he would take being a twelve year old a million times over having to keep running away from those rock giants. At least those seemed to have disappeared for good. Even if the makeup department on that last film could have taken a good bit of inspiration from it. The only thing he was worried about in regards to making the donation was that with how politically correct most people were now, maybe Nerf guns and other such toys wouldn’t be the best idea. But a toy was a toy, and that super soaker had some power to it, as Lito’s living room could very well attest.
“Good to know,” he answered vaguely. His twelve year old self had been very enthused with the toys, but the thirty year old he actually was, realized how much he didn’t actually need so much clutter. “I appreciate the advice.”
Marguerite had seen a fair number of things in Orange County that she could do without. And in the grand scheme of things? Randomly de-aging probably wasn’t the worst of situations. There were things like that though. A mix of things, such as the Peep invasion of Easter along with the rabbit with sharp pointy teeth. That had been amusing. And much better than a prop guillotine that was in the process of being built turning into an actual guillotine.
“Of course, I’m glad to help.” In whatever way was needed, be it a vote of confidence with the audition or advice on where to drop off a donation.