| Lights, cameras, hair, makeup, movie stars, glitz, glamour and the reader. Yes, the reader.
It’s one of the least glamorous jobs in the filmmaking industry, but one of the most important. When I’m the reader, I’m the person responsible for reading the lines to the actors auditioning for a role. For example, say a movie about the life and times of Pamela Anderson is being made here in Calgary, and Pam is already cast but Tommy Lee and Kid Rock are still up for grabs, I would read Pam’s lines opposite the actors auditioning.
Pam: No Tommy. I’m not in love with another man. I totally love you.
Tommy: Whatever Pam. That is so bullcrap!
Pam: No Tommy. I’m serious. Our love is really serious.
Tommy: Seriously? Don’t lie to me Pam. Just don’t lie.
End of scene.
I read all parts – men, women, children. Sometimes I’m even a sound effect. For example, in this scene the actor auditioning for Rock doesn’t need a line – he needs a sound effect.
Phone: Ring ring.
Rock (picks up phone): Yo, Kid Rock here.
End of scene.
It’s amazing how some people struggle with one line. It would be easy to break into laughter, or give the actor the evil eye, but as the reader it is not my place to judge or condemn bad auditions. That would be extremely unprofessional, and a trained reader takes pride in being professional.
The reader is one of the jobs in the film industry that most people don’t even know exists. Why? Because we like it that way. Most readers want to be anonymous. We don’t want actors stopping us on the street on our day off and asking us questions about the script. We don’t want strangers calling us up and telling us what a great job we did in the casting session. We don’t need directors to gush on and on about how they wish they could cast us in every role because we read so well.
We are very solitary people. We like to keep to ourselves. We went into this career because it wasn’t about the cameras, the craft services, the fun locations, the crazy hours, the adrenaline rush you get from working with big name movie stars or the wrap parties. We do it because we love to, well, read.
Right now I’m reading a new script that I cannot discuss because the shooting location has yet to be confirmed. It’s a love story/dramatic thriller starring Kevin Costner. Regardless of whether it shoots here or not, I’m reading the script. I read as many scripts as I can – even the bad ones. I think it’s important to keep the engine oiled. Practice. Learn. Hone your craft. Work at it. It’s not about being a star – it’s about helping find the next star. The next Ben Affleck, the next J. Lo. It’s about aiding the actor. Helping them to connect with you. Connect with the language, the lines, the dialogue. Each reader has their own term. I prefer "multi lettered sustenance". Each reader also has their own rules too. I only have one.
K.Lo’s Rule: Never mix business with pleasure.
I am not your friend. I want you to do well, I hope you get the part, but I am doing a job. I do not have time to chat about your dog Musty or your cat Snug. I am getting paid to read. I am focused, I am trained and I am not interested in discussing anything not related to the script. Nothing. I am also not an acting coach (I could be, but I’m not). I’m the reader. I’m most definitely not an actress. I may look like a drop dead beautiful up-and-coming movie star and come across as a highly trained and wonderfully skilled actress, but I’m not. I’m the reader. If I wanted the glitz and glamour of the film industry, I could have it. I could work my way up the ladder, rung by rung. I could step out from behind the camera and put myself in front of it. But I don’t. I’m the reader. That’s what I am. I read, read, read. And I love it. I do. I really, really do. |
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