Behind The Spotlight Chapter 17
"It says here there's an audition going on in this building..."
Lawrence Terrence muttered under his breath while staring up at the five-story structure in front of him. The building looked like it had been abandoned for years. He held a note with the address, building name, and room number where the audition was supposed to take place.
Lawrence frowned as he scanned the exterior once more. The place looked old and unkempt, as if no one had maintained it in decades. Ivy crept along the cracked walls, broken windows were scattered across the upper floors, and graffiti of a silly cartoon character defaced the front.
This was the last place he expected to be holding an audition, especially in Los Angeles, where beauty and presentation often took center stage. Still, despite the building's strange atmosphere, Lawrence decided to go inside.
He had found the casting notice on the bulletin board at the Actors Guild. It mentioned that a project was seeking actors, but gave very few details. No genre, no character descriptions, just that it was for a comedy film. Even the title was missing, making it all feel sketchy.
It could very well be a scam, a bait for desperate actors. But Lawrence chose to take the risk. He had auditioned for countless projects and failed time after time. A former theater actor in high school, he had come to Hollywood chasing a dream, one that now felt farther away than ever.
After nearly a year in the city, Lawrence had yet to land a single role that could launch his career. Agencies ignored his applications, and some never even responded. These days, he made ends meet by working in a pizza shop, far from the glamorous life he had once envisioned.
"This building doesn't even have an elevator..." he grumbled, beginning the long walk upstairs.
By the time he reached the fourth floor, where the audition was being held, Lawrence was sweating as though he'd just run a marathon. He spotted a broken mirror hanging on the hallway wall and took a moment to examine himself, eyes full of anxious hope.
He wiped his face with his palms, careful not to ruin the best T-shirt he owned, the one he saved for occasions like this.
As he walked down the hall, he noticed a few people sitting or standing near the audition room. Men and women, all waiting to be called in.
Seeing a dozen others waiting gave Lawrence a small wave of relief.
"So, this audition is real and not a scam after all."
Judging by the situation, this was likely a small-budget comedy film, probably made by an indie director or crew. Hollywood produced thousands of films each year, and low-budget productions accounted for nearly 80% of them.
Even so, small-budget didn't mean small opportunity. The presence of so many hopefuls actors proved just how seriously even modest roles were taken, especially by those trying to break into the industry.
For aspiring actors, just having their face appear on a screen was a win. It meant exposure, something to add to their resumes that might one day catch a casting director's eye.
Lawrence shared this mindset. Though part of him still hoped for a miracle, he understood how the system worked. Major roles were often pre-cast before any public announcement. Directors, producers, and agents had their circles, they already knew who they wanted.
Realistically, Lawrence hoped to land a minor role, a background character with a line or two. A robber, a waiter, a guy on the street, it didn't matter. As long as he had at least one spoken line, it would be enough. It would be something.
He also knew that films like these rarely paid more than minimum wage. But money wasn't the goal right now.
What mattered was being part of a movie. Any movie. That would add credibility to his profile and increase his chances of landing something bigger next time.
"I don't even have a copy of the script," he muttered, looking around.
Only a few people had scripts printed out and clutched in their hands. They were likely from ANT, Apex Network Talent. Lucky for them, the director of this project was also from ANT and probably favored his fellow agency members.
The director had shared part of the script with them in advance, allowing them time to prepare.
"Maybe I should apply to ANT after this audition ends," Lawrence thought, realizing he hadn't tried that agency yet.
The line moved forward slowly, until finally, Lawrence was next to be called. His hands trembled slightly with nerves.
A tall, tough-looking man walked out of the room, someone who looked like he'd be cast as a soldier or bodyguard. He glanced at Lawrence and said.
"I'm done with my audition. The directors are calling the next one."
"Okay."
Lawrence stood, feeling a mix of tension and hope stirring up in his chest.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and hoped that this project might be the break he had been searching for.
[I'll post another chapter later.]