Yesterday, being a holiday, was a rest day for me. I enjoyed rare occasions like that extended week-end specially so because my two daughters stayed home and we shared bonding moments. Now that they are grown ups and are busy with their jobs, moments like these are being anticipated with much enthusiasm by parents like us.
I was talking with my daughters when my cell phone sounded a message alert. When I opened the message inbox, I read a number instead of a name signifying that the sender’s name is not in my phone book and therefore not known to me. When I read the message, the sender introduced herself as Johanna Lagman. She told me that she had submitted my photo for a possible commercial for a gasoline company. At that moment, I was trying to test my memory power. After passing the half century mark, I must admit that there are times when I already have memory lapses! This time, I really could not recall having given my photos to a certain Johanna Lagman. She further told me that she had sent an e-mail to me regarding the details of the possible shoot for a commercial.
I immediately opened my lap top and thanks to the router that I bought for our internet broadband, I can now have a wireless network connection (WI FI) for my lap top from the router. I was able to open up my e-mail and was able to read the details of the e-mail from Johanna who is a talent supplier.
According to her, she submitted my photos to the client and I was short listed for a shoot for a commercial for a gasoline station. If I will be selected, the scene will have me as a bus line owner with buses filling up with fuel from the gas station. If ever it would materialize, I would be locked in for two years, meaning I could not accept another commercial for a competitor. Likewise, Johanna wanted to know if I had a similar commercial in the past.
Immediately after her message, I read the e-mail I sent to Johanna dated April 15, 2007, exactly a year ago. My e-mail to her was in response to her posting in a yahoogroup where both of us are members. She was then looking for a commercial model. I now recall that I sent her photos for that photo audition.
A photo audition is a form of an audition in contrast to a “go see”. A photo audition simply relies on photos that are sent to the clients to be used as basis for them to decide which model will be chosen for a commercial. On the other hand, a “go see” will require that the models will personally appear to a talent supplier, and a video tape recording is made. The VTR will be sent to the prospective client who will then decide who among those models will be selected.
Johanna finally asked for more photos that she can submit to the client. Please help me and pray that I will get this commercial!
One Response to “The Photo Audition”
Is the two-year restriction in appearing in a competitive ad or commercial the usual practice now? In my years in advertising I don’t remember imposing such a restriction on talent used in my commercials. After all, those who appear in my clients’ ads or commerical will not be considered by competitive companies.
Anyway, let me put in my best wishes and prayers that you get the role of the gasoline station owner. Pero, Egay, hindi ba you look too young for a gasoline station owner?