Well, after what I viewed to be a truly AWFUL performance in my call back audition, and a whole slough of signals from the director and casting people that I was dismissed summarily, I got the part.

Yup. I have now been cast to perform in my first national commercial, paid at union scale. I’m not sure how much I can say, so I won’t give any details at the moment.

The funny thing is, I was so certain that I didn’t have it. See, when I got there on Thursday a couple of people were already in the room doing their thing. The wrapped up and started out. As they were heading out the door, the casting director called one of them back, saying that they needed another headshot, while the other guy walked out. He then cam back out of the room and sat down in the waiting area. I was chatting with him, and he said he was feeling pretty good because they asked him to stick around.

Shortly after, I and another guy were called back. The audition, and the commercial, was all improv. I felt WAY off my game, and kind of stumbled around some tepid dialogue with the other guy. The director gave us some direction, telling us it need to be funny and pop, and we tried it again, and again I felt as if I was following the direction as “can you be more awkward, and leave big silent gaps between lines while looking like a deer caught in the headlights?” He cut us short and thanked us. I picked up my things, thanked them both, and we headed out.

As we were heading out toward the exit, the casting director stuck his head out and said, “Eric, can you come back for a sec? We need another headshot from you . . .” Well, you can imagine the sinking feeling as I walked as steadily as I could toward the door. I turned around one last time at the doorway and looked back, a sickly grin on my face, and then out into the stifling heat. I felt like crap, and was certain that that was it. I went and picked my daughter up from my mom, who had been watching her, went to Costco and bought a bunch of stuff, and then went home and had a beer.

I texted my wife, explaining why I was pretty sure I didn’t get it. She said, “You’ve felt that way before, and you got it.” I emphasized why this was different, and I felt that my logic was pretty sound in the matter. We went to our weekly BBQ night with our friends, and explained the whole thing again, expressing my frustration, etc., etc. Of course, there was a lot of encouraging “you don’t know that”’s , which I promptly poo-pooed.

So, this morning while cleaning the house I noticed a flashing red light on my Blackberry, and an e-mail from my agent. I just assumed it was another audition, but when I opened it, she was asking for a confirmation of being on hold for Friday the 15th. Based on the previous few paragraphs, you may be able to sense the numb disbelief I felt. I believe I told my wife, “Oh my God. I got it.” Squeals and clapping, and then being told that I HAD to text everyone and let them know. I did, which was instantly followed by one phone call of “I told you so!”, and then a whole spate of similar texts.

So, the moral of this story? Don’t count your chicken’s before you’ve made your lemonade. Or something. Also, once again, the more I feel that I performed like an untrained baboon on quaaludes, the better the chance that I’ll actually book the job.

Oh, and not to brag or anything, but I’m pretty sure this now makes me 3 for 3 of my recent auditions. I’m going to get knifed in the park if I’m not careful.

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