silently and back to me

I had an audition for a voice over at Nickelodeon yesterday. The only problem is, I, uh, didn't know about it, because the details on the reading came via e-mail during a period of a couple days last week when all e-mail sent to me went flying off into the gamma quadrant of the Zarkon V Nebula.

Luckily for me, the director of this project was really into reading me, and we were able to reschedule for this morning.

Okay, I know I'm supposed to maintain some professional detachment, so when I don't get the job it's less of a disappointment, but I had a crush on this project as soon as I read the breakdown. After I met the director and grokked what sort of story she wants to tell, I was hopelessly in love with the project. I really, really hope I get this job.

I've talked about how much I like going to Nick in the past, but I'll just do it again for those of you who didn't listen to RFB #4: Nickelodeon just feels good to me. It's not intimidating like Disney, it's not corporate like some other places, and I really feel like I'm walking right into a Nickelodeon cartoon. Some of my happiest childhood television memories are of Nickelodeon shows, like You Can't Do That on Television, Mr. Wizard, The Third Eye (SCARY!) and Danger Mouse, too, and I did lots of things with Nickelodeon when I was a teen idol, including getting slimed several times and hosting the Kid's Choice Awards, so I think that makes it easier for me to find a happy place when I audition for any Nickelodeon shows.

The other reason I always find a happy place at Nickelodeon is entirely due to the guard who works the parking garage gate there. I don't know his name[1], but he is one of the kindest, warmest, and friendliest guards people I've ever encountered. I realized today that he plays a very big part in why I love going to Nick so much, and why I always give good auditions there.

He is the first person I encounter when I pull up. He is a gentle, grandfatherly, white-haired man in his late 60s, and always seems to be smiling. He always makes me feel at ease, and gives me (and everyone else who comes in, I'm sure) the impression that he really wants me to book the job, like it matters to him, and he believes in me. I realized today that I've always picked up a bit of his kindness and warmth and carried it in with me. It's nice to be so utterly at ease when I walk into an audition, you know? It makes a big difference.

I probably shouldn't disclose too many details about the story that I auditioned for, but it is a wonderful, funny, charming animated short about a geek and a goth who are starcrossed lovers.

I'm sure you're all surprised to hear that I read for the geek. I used my sense memories to recall the Kyra crush and did my best to be the kind of guy who "you want to take his glasses off, and mess up his hair, because he's so cute and he doesn't know it," according to the director, who I really, really liked.

I honestly don't know if I'll get the job, because I'm worried about how deep and manly my awesome voice is. Even though I know I can get the teenage voice down to second nature wth enough practice, I have done this long enough to know that when someone else comes in and nails it, they always hire the "nailed it" guy over the "could nail it with enough practice" guy. That's just science, and you can't argue with science (unless you're one of those "global warming is a myth and evolution doesn't exist" moonbats, in which case arguing with science is sort of your whole reason for existing, right?)

Anyway, I had a blast reading for this project, and I was so excited when I left, I totally forgot to steal a camphone snap of the hawesome four foot tall SpongeBob made out of LEGO in the lobby. If I get the job, or the next time I'm at Nick, I'll grab a picture of it on my way in, because I'm usually skipping with nerdy excitment whenever I'm on my way out.

Whether I book this job or not, I'll be watching for it when it airs, and I'll be sure to post about it, because it's the type of show that I know WWdN readers will love.

[1] In comments, formerlyme says, "Hey Wil, I used to work at Nick. I know exactly who you're talking about. His name is Don, and he's the most awesome security guy ever."

Comments

[David Ely]

"Hey Wil, I used to work at Nick. I know exactly who you're talking about. His name is Don, and he's the most awesome security guy ever."

Bizzare. I used to work in an office and we had a mailman like that. He'd come in in the morning and just brighten everyone's day, and his name is Don, too.

[BenPaddon.co.uk]

Funny, Nick is a totally different experience here in the UK, probably becxause they've tried to make themselves distinct from the US version as much as possible. In the Good ol' days, Nick Uk and Nick US were practically the same. Same shows, same inserts, the lot. Since then Nick UK has deviated into this horrible monstrosity that's less about fun and more about "what do the kids think is cool, and how can we exploit that?". The inserts Nick UK use at the moment are damned near annoying. Thankfully though, NickToons UK still shows stuff like Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, and Doug. Swish!

Good luck with the job. I won't be sending you vibes in the form of annoying TV theme tunes, but I will keep my fingers double-knotted for you.

Wow, I know how to babble on, eh?

[Bitt Faulk]

"The Third Eye"

Oh. My. God. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

I've been going nuts for months trying to remember that Nick scifi show that had the two kids and their red and blue rocks. No wonder I couldn't find it, since it was aired as part of that "Third Eye" anthology series.

"Under the Mountain". Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

[Jennifer]

Ahh...Mr. Wizard's World. I so loved that show growing up. Between that and Cosmos, I came so close to going into science rather than music.

But at least geekary can satisfy that passion those shows managed to stir up :)

[Seth]

I see you're a Wilco fan. I give massive kudos for Wilco fanmanship.

If you haven't seen them live, do so with vigor. They're some of the best concert-putter-oners ever. Plus, if you haven't yet purchased their live album, do that too! It's got most of A Ghost is Born, but in MUCH better form/arrangement and energy level than the album versions - plus Nels Cline is a fabtabulous guitarist.

This comment had nothing to do with your entry. I am t3h winz.

[Allen McPheeters]

"Wil, Wil, Wil," he said, shaking his head sadly. "Not everyone who disagrees with the global warming theory is a moonbat. Look at this link, from Canada's National Post newspaper. It's an open letter from 60 prominent scientists who aren't convinced of the theory.

"Love the blog, but I probably share your parents' politics more than yours."

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=3711460e-bd5a-475d-a6be-4db87559d605&rfp=dta

[nonobjective]

It's been my experience you can get 60 scientists together to say just about anything.

silly scientists.

[GlacierOne]

If you can get 60 scientists together to say just about anything, then why believe anything at all that scientists have to say??

I think it's important that we clean up the environment, and take care of what we have on this planet. I think everyone would agree that flying into L.A. and seeing the smog is not attractive. However, I just don't think that you we can put all the eggs in the global warming basket yet either.

Either way, I love the blog and good luck with the Nickelodeon gig!

[adamnut]

I beleive in global warming, but not evolution. Because I see that with enough time, things get worse (global warming) not better (evolution). But don't let me think for you. Does that make me half moonbat?

[fferret]

OK, I was worksurfing. I admit it. But hey, if I hadn't been, I would have seen this on the Adult Swim Site! Now, I realize that folk can quibble that it's not the same Dangermouse, and those people can bite my shiny metal ass. I'll be looking out for this!