Audition: Day 1
…woke up 7+am the next day as I’d not had a chance to actually recite my story. But at least now i had the content and flow! After walking out to nearby kopitiam to get breakfast (and some essentials like cup noodles and instant coffee–which my sis’ place didn’t have), I managed to, over the next few hours, prepare all my notes, run thru my story a few times, get dressed and head out for my 2:45 audition.
The production house was Beach House Pictures located on Mt. Sophia, which is a hill. I took the MRT to the nearest stop, then had to figure out how to get up the actual hill. After getting slightly lost (and walking and puffing around), I managed to locate the 137 steps that lead up the hill (that’s if you’re walking up; by car you take a longish windy road up!). Still managed to get there a couple min before my time which was good as I was drenched in sweat by then and had to cool down. Talked to the very nice assistant there, had to fill up a form/sign a release, then was brought up to meet the panel when the previous guy finished (who I’d recognised from his video entry that he’d put on on youtube).
In short, it went pretty ok. I could tell that they had some difficulty putting a finger on me ie. categorise me from the interview portion (after all, I DO lead a rather non-conventional life). I was slightly *overdressed* (which is usually more the reverse!). There was no indication from the website or correspondences about the style of the show (”Unknown Asia”) so I’d thought better be safe. One guy asked if i’d be comfortable getting “down & dirty”– which i say yes, a part of me is like that. He looked like he didn’t believe me but ok, really I can be like that. When the situation calls for it (eg. white water rafting, adventure race etc), then I embrace such a situation. They also asked what I thought makes a good host, if I had the History Channel (which I honestly told them “No”–LOL) and why I think I would make a suitable host. The last question i basically told them it’s because I LOVE learning and sharing with others (usually through talking lor)– again, a core part of what I do in reaaaaaal life!
The 2nd portion was the storytelling. In one take straight to camera (tho my eyes did fleet on occasion, uncontrolled, to see if everyone was still paying attention LOL), I told 80% of the account of how Lord Padmasambhava’s life story and the incredible work he did in bringing and founding Buddhism in Tibet (hence, giving rise to Tibetan Buddhism). They seemed pretty impressed; one lady asked if I’d not known any of the info prior to the audition. I told her i knew only a little (which was true-so I’m glad i got to do the research and learn). After that, they asked if I had any questions but quickly learnt there wasn’t much they could tell me LOL. I did find out that they’re looking to shoot 4 episodes in 4 different countries. Each episode/country was to feature different stories to make up an 1 hr programme.
I said my goodbyes (they told me to dress outdoor-sy for the screen test tmrw), talked a little to the assistant (the guy before me was still there for some reason) then left. As I was walking out of the area, the next guy arrived. Again, I recognised him from another video entry posted up on youtube. I was like, “Geez, looks like they’re all here!”…Went for a quick salad, then headed home for sleep and to prep for the next day. Turns out my elder niece now pops back home b4 her parents get home since she’s now old enough to be alone for a few hours. Took a nap, then later had dinner with my sis/bro-in-law, then it was time to prep the “script” and info for the next day. We were earlier emailed some info on Fort Canning, an ex-army post during WWII. The guide said something like use the info to introduce the fort, then pretent to look for tombstones of some soldiers who died protecting Singapore from the Japs, then interview the expert on location–turns out the actual screentest wasn’t *exactly* like that…
[PS. Obviously eh I couldn't camwhore during the audition. Several reasons i) and still not a camwhore ii) my limited phone iii) didn't wanna distract myself from my audition--that's why I need a personal assistant haha!]