Okay, so I’ve always dreamed of being in one of those cheesy, feel-good Hallmark movies. You know, the ones where the big-city girl finds love in a small town with a Christmas tree farmer? Yeah, that’s the dream. So, I decided to actually try and make it happen. Here’s how my little adventure went:
Step 1: Finding Auditions
First things first, I needed to find some actual auditions. I started by googling “Hallmark movie auditions” and, surprise, a bunch of casting call websites popped up. Some looked a little sketchy, but others seemed legit, so I made accounts and started browsing.
Step 2: Headshots and Resume
Next, I Needed some decent headshots. I’m not gonna lie, my old headshots were, well, old.I don’t have any actor friends so I asked my sister and her photography skilled friend. She made some good photos, and I got some simple, natural-looking photos.
Then came the resume. I’ve done some community theater and a few student films back in the day, so I dusted off those experiences and put them on a resume. I tried to make it sound as professional as possible, even though “Woman #3 in Park Scene” isn’t exactly an award-winning role. But I read online somewhere that it is better to fill with more acting experiences, So I fill it up with all my acting experience, including the role play that I had at highschool party.
Step 3: The Self-Tape
I found a couple of open calls that looked promising. One was for a “small-town baker” (so cliché, I loved it!) and the other was for a “concerned friend.” Both required a self-tape, which is basically you filming yourself acting out a scene they provide. It is awkward process at the beginning, but after I made some more, I felt more comfortable
I set up my phone on a tripod, made sure the lighting wasn’t terrible, and started recording. Let me tell you, it’s harder than it looks! I probably did about 20 takes of each scene before I had something I didn’t completely hate. It’s tough to be your own director, cameraman, and actor all at once. But at last I finally chose my best shot to submit.
Step 4: The Waiting Game
After submitting my tapes, it was all about waiting. And waiting. And more waiting. I tried to keep busy, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t constantly checking my email. I even started watching more Hallmark movies for “research,” which, let’s be honest, was just an excuse to eat popcorn and daydream.
Step 5: Rejection (and a Little Hope)
A few weeks later, I got a couple of emails. Both were rejections. Bummer, right? But one of them actually said they liked my “warm energy” and encouraged me to keep submitting. I was little bit frustrated but I was not surprised, It’s okay though.
I know that is not easy to get a part in these types of * audition process can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’m not giving * I keep trying again and again and check the audition website.
So, that’s where I’m at! No Hallmark movie debut yet, but I’m still trying. I figure even if I never become a Hallmark star, I’ve learned a bit about the process, and I’ve definitely got some funny stories to tell. Plus, I’ve got a new appreciation for those actors who make delivering those cheesy lines look so easy. It’s a skill, I tell ya!
