There’s an increased demand for news anchors and reporters.  Not in the broadcast industry, but in the movie business.   And since Shreveport has become what many refer to as Hollywood South, lots of news and sports broadcasters are seeing each other at casting calls, all auditioning for the same roles. 

Have you auditioned?  Played a part?  Been an extra?  Worked behind the scenes?  How has the movie industry changed your life here?   

I was recently called to audition for a sports reporter in the movie, The Longshots.  I showed up Tuesday morning, was given a script,  memorized it and nailed it in the audition.  The casting chick said, “That was awesome!  Come back tomorrow and audition in front of the director, Fred Durst.” 

I never get nervous in front of the camera.  And you can put people around me all day long if I’m reporting news.  But, some sort of odd awareness came over me during this callback audition in a tiny office with five sets of eyes three feet away.   I got nervous!  Bombed that one.  

I tried three times to say my lines and finally just laughed and said, “Thank you all for your time.”   Yes, I dismissed myself from my own audition. 

My lesson:  Playing a reporter is a lot tougher than being one.