I got a call near 5 o’clock yesterday. Casting agency. Seems a few years ago, the Lady Ninja took Youngest Son to join an agency and attend some auditions. Several hundred dollars later (money we paid, not money he received), he got no work from it and we let it slip into history.
So, yesterday this Casting Agency says, “Your son used to be registered with an agent we use. Would you like him to attend a screen test for a commercial tomorrow morning? … He’d make [insert obscene amount of cash] for the day’s shooting.”
“O … kay … I’ll ask him.”
And he wanted to go. Strangely enough.
So this morning, instead of him attending school and me working on my business, we drive 45 minutes to the screen test. A surly pre-morning-coffee lady opens the door then walks away, leaving us to find our own seats. A minute later, she walks past me where I’m sitting in the foyer (we’re first cab off the ranks), throws a clip board and a pile of forms on a table and says “You better fill in a form” (she says this to the wall, not me) and I think Well, we’re off to a great start here aren’t we? But then, I’m a sensitive kind of guy…
I stand, grab a form from the pile, fill it in, take some measurements of my son, fill in some more of the form and place it back on the table. When I turn around there is another lady standing there, 15 years older and 1010% happier than the first girl.
“Hi!” she says to me very brightly, staring at me with an intensity that I might have enjoyed in a nightclub twenty years ago, but which leaves me a little uncomfortable today. (Where’s that grumpy girl gone?)
“Good morning,” I reply as pleasantly as I can. The rollercoaster from no-people-skills to too-much-people-skills is leaving me giddy.
“Your son’s having his screen test?” she says.
“Yes. He is.”
Gee I’m good at conversation.
“How old are you?” she asks in the same bright, you’re-the-most-important-person-in-my-world tone.
“Er. Forty … two… next week.” I give her a quizzical look.
“Would you like to go in too?”
“With my son? … Sure.” I’m perplexed at this stage. Why wouldn’t I go in with my son and make sure he’s ok? He’s 8 years old after all.
“No, would you like to screen test?”
Time stops. Me? Pete Aldin … on TV?!!
Seems rather ridiculous (just check out my Postcards videos!), but I find myself shrugging and - affecting her bouncy tone - saying “Sure, why not!”
Did I just agree to this? …
So, a form of my own is filled out after some kind help with my measurements from a fellow stage-parent who’s just arrived. (Is my waist really that large?! Surely that’s a faulty tape measure!) and … I screen-tested alongside my son.
Who knows? We may both be in the same commercial! Father and son together on video. Following in the footsteps of Donald and Kiefer, Kirk and Michael, Martin and Charlie, Darth Vader and Luke …
Well. I’ll let you know how it goes.
But when it comes to the beginning of my screen career, I’m not holding my breath.
14 responses so far ↓
Jonathan // May 15, 2008 at 2:06 am
Two questions: One suggestion:
1. Will you and your son keep your real names or will you use stage names?
2. Can I get autographs before the fame and glory makes you inaccessible?
1. Lets have a create stage names contest for the Aldin Duo.
I’m thinking Duke and Dirk MacDuff.
MadCow // May 15, 2008 at 8:19 am
Gotta watch those tape measures, Pete, they are evil!
Evil, I tell ya!
Ooh, make sure you keep us updated.
And they must have awesome coffee at that place. Do you think you can ask Jeckyl-Hyde lady what it is and where she got it from. I could use me some of that coffee (or, rather, my family could use me using some of that coffee)
As for Duke and Dirk MacDuff, given the half MUG of coffee I have had this morning, I can’t top that … but will sit on it
Pete // May 15, 2008 at 8:38 am
@ Jonathan:
1. I’m thinking of going with The Artist Formerly Known as Dad and he’s thinking of The Son of the Artist etc
2. No. I know you’ll just put it on Ebay anyway.
1. …oh, alright .. maybe… if we make it to the ad, we’ll do that.
And Duke and Dirk? Is that a MacBeth reference I see before me? Or something more recent?
@ Mad Cow: Well, I have no excuse for a swollen belly. And it was actually a different lady completely! Although … I never saw the two of them in the same place at the same time… Grumblebum Girl came back out later and did the screen test and was starting to lean more toward Homo Sapien than Neanderthal by then, but I’m sure she could have done with a little more caffeine.
jonathan // May 15, 2008 at 11:32 am
I think its a mixture of Dead Poets Society and Macbeth. I was trying to think of names that conjure up a bold image and Duke came to mind. Which made me think of John Wayne, which made me think of Robin Williams in DPS doing John Wayne reciting Macbeth, “Is that a dagger I see before me.” So then, I went with MacDuff.
BTW… I’m offended that you would think I’d pawn your autograph on Ebay. I’d merely make copies and auction of the forgeries. Jeez, you act as if I have no honor.
Chris // May 15, 2008 at 11:57 am
OMG I WISH I’d been a fly on the wall for all of this!
Jonathan, surely the Aldin boys would need more sci-fi oriented names! As I’m not a geeky sci-fi fan I couldn’t make any suggestions but Duke and Dirk just don’t cut it for me!
Pete // May 15, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Maybe James T & Jean-Luc Aldin? Or Anakin & Luke? Or Zurg & Buzz? (Sorry, that’s Toy Story…)
Jonathan // May 15, 2008 at 11:05 pm
How about Flash and Ming Aldin?
Jonathan // May 15, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Or, Buck and Twiggy?
Pete // May 16, 2008 at 8:17 am
Buck and Twiggy. Oh my gosh, that takes me back … to a place I dont want to visit.
Wierd how Flash Gordon is much cooler than Buck Rogers but they’re essentially same era (orginals and remakes).
Thanks for the suggestions Jonathan. (I think)
Roland // May 17, 2008 at 11:12 pm
One more father/son reference: Mork (Robin Williams) and Mearth (Jonathan Winters).
BTW, Buck Roger’s pint-sized companion was Twiki. Twiggy was a popular model in the 1960s.
(Geez, why doesn’t my brain have room for more useful information?)
Jonathan // May 18, 2008 at 12:16 am
Oops, I didn’t mean to refer to the model. Buck Rogers is really only a vague memory of my YOUNG childhood. I really just remember Twiki making that “Bidi-bidi-bidi noise.”
Pete // May 18, 2008 at 10:54 am
I do that bidi-bidi-bidi noise occasionally. Some irresponsible director has forever imprinted that inane sound on my brain.
Danielle // May 22, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Can we get autographs now to sell on e-bay later?
Pete // May 22, 2008 at 9:27 pm
See? You’re all just interested in me for my fame.
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