- 4:44 PM, Thursday,
April 6th, 2006:
-
- Breathe
in.
-
- Breathe
out.
-
- Sleep for 90
minutes.
-
- Stare at clock
for 90 more.
-
- Repeat 3
times.
-
- Wake up more
dazed and confused than you were the night
before.
-
-
-
- Repeat.
-
- Begin writing
an entry because you're worthless at anything
else.
-
- Welcome to my
life. The concern is not that I have to put up with
this until Saturday, the concern is that I have a very
real possibility of dealing with this for
months.
-
- I have "Devil's
Advocated" this scenario in my head every second of
the day since it came about, and there's no denying
it: this is the moment that all 6 years has lead to.
The fact that my job is driving me nuts right now
(thus the locked entry)? Part of the plan. The fact
that I had packed everything up in July and given up
on 4tvs all together only to have this show make me
rebuild it? Part of the plan. The fact that this show
is the ONLY avenue that 4tvs fits in? Part of the
plan. The fact that I was at peace with nothing coming
of 4tvs and found more creativity in music, creating,
and just BEING...and THEN this hits? Part of the plan.
I am literally in the middle of a movie script and no
amount of rationalizing changes that. The feeling is
overwhelming, and all my neurotic and over-analytical
ways can't undo it. It's here. Now, how do I attack
it, and blow everyone the fuck out of the
water…start with the Rules of the
Game:
-
- Dear
Future Star!
- Welcome
to the first open call for "AMERICA'S GOT
TALENT", scheduled to premiere this summer
on NBC-TV, primetime! You have the chance
to win the recently announced $1 Million
first prize, the largest sum ever offered
on a talent show! This is to confirm we
look forward to seeing you at our open
call auditions for the hottest new variety
show ever in America on Saturday, April
8, 2006 at:
-
- SHERATON
LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN HOTEL
- 711
S. Hope St. (South of
Wilshire)
- Los
Angeles, CA 90017
-
- In
Simon's own words "this is the show I've
always wanted to make."
-
- Your
talents and ambitions are held in high
regard by our entire team. We will work
hard along side of you to make sure we
showcase your talent in the best way
possible. Below are some very important
details concerning the audition process.
Please read this letter in its entirety to
ensure you are fully prepared for your
audition:
-
- 1.
Do not be intimidated by the massive
amounts of people you may see in line.
We
- will
get to everyone. Pre-registered talent,
such as yourselves, will be seen
before
- any
of those who are not on the
list.
-
- 2.
Parking is $5.00 down the street, $10.00
self park at the hotel, and a special
rate
- of
$14.00 for valet.
-
- 3.
Doors are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. As
a member of the Pre-registered
list,
- please
arrive at whatever time is convenient to
your schedule. There will be
staff
- and
signage to ensure you're in the right
place.
-
- 4.
If you have props, equipment, etc, bring a
friend who can help you. There will
be
- room
for you to leave your things while your
friend stands guard, so you
can
- check
in. Check in first; then go back to your
car and unload.
-
- 5.
Please be dressed in as much of your
costume as possible when you arrive to
the
- hotel.
This includes hair, make-up, and clothes,
as there will be limited
bathroom
- space
to change.
-
- 6.
All talent will be wrist banded. If we
call your number, and you did not hear
it
- please
see a staff member. We will get you in as
soon as possible.
-
- 7.
Prepare approximately 3 minutes of your
hottest material. We plan on seeing
a
- lot
of people so you need to get to the point
in a short amount of time. We
may
- ask
you to perform an additional number, so be
prepared with any music,
props,
- equipment,
etc. For our singers, you can sing
acapella or with a CD to
- accompany
you. It is your choice!
-
- 8.
Feel free to leave the talent director any
supporting materials you have, such as
a
- VHS
video or DVD. Materials will not be
returned, and we have the right to
use
- them
if you sign the appearance
release.
-
- 9.
Do not be intimidated by the paperwork you
need to complete. There is a lot
of
- legal
jargon in there. We will have an attorney
on call to clarify any of your
- questions.
The common fear people have is that WE
WANT TO OWN YOUR
- ACT!
This is not true; we are just
licensing the rights from you while you
are
- involved
in the competition. That's it. Another
worry is that you cannot work
- and
earn a living while you're involved in our
competition. This is also an
- incorrect
assumption. We know you have trade shows
booked, local TV, state
- fairs,
etc. We just don't want to see you perform
on a competitive show while
- you're
competing in our show. (i.e. Kelly
Clarkson showing up on every
show
- before
she wins)
-
- 10.
We ask that your act be self-contained.
Bring all your props and equipment
that
- you
will need. The only thing we will provide
is a sound system to plug in
your
- amps.
We will also have some microphones and a
CD player.
-
- 11.
We are operating 3 audition rooms
simultaneously to speed up the
process.
-
- 12.
Please do not ask our staff to be in your
act. They are there to help you get
to
- where
you need to be. If you need someone to
participate in your act, bring
that
- person
with you.
-
- 13.
There will be a wooden dance floor set up
one room and carpet in the
other
- rooms.
-
- 14.
Please fill out the paperwork in as much
detail as you can. We will handle
the
- music
clearance, so it is imperative that we
know what music you use.
-
- 15.
If you are selected to a call back, we
will take care of those expenses. We
will
- pay
for the hotel, provide food, and your
ground transportation.
-
- 16.
There is no fire allowed in the hotel.
Therefore, if you have fire in your act,
bring
- a
VHS or DVD that shows that portion of your
act.
-
- 17.
Large, dangerous animals are also not
allowed in the hotel. Bring a VHS or
DVD
- of
your act that contains that portion. You
also need to provide the
proper
- immunization
paperwork for your animals. If any animals
are used in your act,
- please
contact Cher or Bobby in the office to
receive the paperwork needed.
-
- 18.
Furthermore, if you are performing a
dangerous act, either in person or
on
- VHS/DVD,
please contact Cher or Bobby in the office
to receive the paperwork
- needed.
-
- 19.
The ceiling height of the ballroom at the
Sheraton is 16 feet.
-
- 20.
This is open to all ages. It is no longer
necessary for someone over the age of
18
- to
perform with minors. Please be aware, if
you are under the age of 18, a
parent
- or
legal guardian must sign your application
and release papers.
-
- 21.
Feel free to tell us about any other
talented friends you have.
-
- 22.
Do not worry if you're in a union. Since
this is a talent competition and you
are
- not
"work for hire." Our auditions are open to
everyone!
-
- 23.
A photo ID is required in order to
audition.
-
- 24.
Candidates must be either a U.S. citizen,
legal permanent resident of the U.S.,
or
- possess
a current legal visa allowing you to seek
employment freely in the U.S.
- On
behalf of our entire talent team, Becky,
Elyse, Stephanie, Teddy, Marina,
Ann,
- Netalee,
Cher and Bobby, GOOD LUCK!!!!!
|
|
-
- Whew. Lotsa stuff.
#21 was strange to me. It seems like a trick, like
they know no one is going to do it - so if you
actually do you win a prize or something. Who's gonna
kill themselves in line all day, get to the audition
and then start advertising someone ELSE?
Weird.
-
- First and
foremost, nothing is what it seems on face value. I've
read the "rules" 20 times, and no matter how good my
act fits, these shows always throw things for a loop.
Simon Cowell also did "American Inventor" and I
remember specifically that one of the
inventions/products was so polished already…they
turned her down. I'm sure she was REAAAL happy she
decided to show them that final packaging huh? Had she
looked less professional…she would've been in.
They in essence said: "What do you need us for?". They
want to discover new talent, not market already
polished talent. This could be my downfall. Not
because I've already been discovered (that's a laugh)
but because if they see a complete and finished
product in front of them, they may again be left with
a feeling of "What do you need us for?". Then again, I
assume they're gonna be seeing jugglers and fire
throwers and shit (they mention trade shows in Rule
#9, hell those guys are incredibly polished) so I
can't imagine they're looking for a "Clay Aiken" that
they can mold…
-
- …but they may
be. You know? There's always a catch to these shows.
They have to make it interesting for the viewer. They
can't have the talent do the same thing every week and
just vote. On Idol they have "theme" nights where you
have to adapt to a different singing genre… they
may do that with this too. So I really need to let the
judges know, that I can make a new show every week.
Gimme a week, I'll give you an entirely new
comedy/singing act. Which means, yup - wigs,
make-up... and new TVs. The whirlwind that may start
after Saturday is hard to imagine...
-
- ...but lord knows
I've tried every second of the day.
-
- Adam
-
- PS - just as I go
to upload this, I get an email from Gary. He heard
back from the Lions Gate guy. Here's the
emails:
-
- hey
****
-
- just
a reminder about my guy adam kontras'
Katrina song "Leaderless State"....any
word about who/how to contact Michael
Moore's camp for his upcoming movie? this
song would work great somewhere in that
film. did you watch the video?
Thanks!
-
- Here's
the video:
-
- http://4tvs.com
/media/journey/yearsix/453.wmv
-
- Here's
just the mp3:
-
- http://www.4tvs.com/leaderlessstate.mp3
-
- And
here's the entry he wrote that night tying
it allllllllllllll together:
-
- http://www.4tvs.com/Journey/yearsix/entries/J453-090105.html
-
- btw...adam's
entire "journey" (ie: him moving to LA
from Ohio to make it in show biz) is
documented on this site. the WHOLE past 6
years!!...it's really mind blowing. he's a
talented and funny guy...and a good
writer...so it's incredibly interesting.
It's like a real live version of The
Truman story.
...anyway....enjoy
|
-
- Very cool of Gary,
he didn't have to add all that. The
response:
-
- I
did watch it - very super swell - I
forwarded it to our acquisition people who
dealt with Mr Moore and have not heard
back - I will follow up
tomorrow
|
-
- Great, more to
wait for with anxious breath holding for the next
several days. Good thing I have nothing else going on
like that.
-
- (sigh)
|
