A Disturbance in the Force? Or Just a Simple Jedi Mind Trick?

The battlefield... sadly no lightsabers...

Am I the man they're looking for?

It all started 3 weeks ago when my Dad alerted me to the fact that Disney were holding open auditions for the much anticipated sequel, Star Wars Episode VII.  When it was first announced Disney was taking over Lucasfilm and were making another Star Wars film, I have to admit.  I groaned and clutched my 6 Star Wars DVDs to my chest, praying for the news to be false.  Sadly though it looks like they're going ahead with it.

Now even though I was against the idea at first, I decided that this was too good an oppurtunity to miss.  My Dad linked me to the BBC News article stating that Disney were holding open auditions for two main roles, a male and a female.  At first I looked at it quizically and came to the conclusion that because I was only 18 I wasn't elligible to take part.  I was stupid though, because they were looking for someone over 18, and I had been 18 for many months already.  So between my Dad and I we agreed that I was to go forward for this.  Audition points were in Manchester, Bristol, London, Dublin and, to my delight, in Glasgow!

The auditions were scheduled to be on 2 weeks ago today, but were called off because of the size of the venue they intended to use.  They were lucky!  There would have been carnage, had they not changed the venue!  Rest in peace to those who died in the Police Helicopter crash last night.  The final choice of venue was Glasgow Science Centre.  I was quite taken-aback when this was announced because all the other audition events took place at sportsgrounds and concert venues... Not in a museum.

So after a very early start of 4am (breakfast at 4:30), my Dad and I set off for Glasgow at 5am on the dot.  We got to Glasgow and parked in the Hydro Car Park at around 6:15 and by the time we got to the Science Centre, the Queue was open and only I was allowed to go and stand in the queue.  100 people in front I thought, "This could be a long wait".  6:45 I suddenly realised that it was baltic temperature and my feet froze so much I couldn't feel my toes.  This didn't stop me however.  7:15 came and I felt inclined to sit down.  I suddenly remembered I had my DS in my rucksack after forgetting to take it out whilst unpacking my stuff last night.  So I spent a good hour working my way through various Mah Jong puzzles, and I was quite content.

8am was the moment it all changed.  The queue started moving.  You could feel the buzz of excitement from all who were there as we moved....about an inch.  Still it was something.  A step in the right direction, closer to possible stardom.  The dream in everyone's minds at that point was exactly that.  To win the role.

Around 8:30, staff members with megaphones announced that the auditions were beginning and brought out the casting staff who would be interviewing us today.  Then we were also introduced to the guests of honour...  Stormtroopers, shipped direct from the Death Star had come to oversee the throng.  It was a nice touch, but a tad ironic considering the forms that we were given, to fill in with our details around 30 minutes later stated that the film was untitled...  Of course, it was the press who gave the game away that it was for Star Wars that these auditions were being conducted.

I finally got to the front of the queue around 9:45am.  a whole hour and 15 minutes before they were due to open.  First we were presented with mirrors so we could make ourselves look 'handsome' and 'beautiful' just like the casting call stated.  Then it was onto the proper interviews.  I was interviewed by a really nice Scottish woman named Sarah.  Poor Sarah...  I must have been twice her height...  I could have sworn she had to crane her neck to talk to me...  Sarah asked me questions like:
 "What do you do?" (I'm an actor was my response),

"Why do you like acting?" (It's always been where I have felt most comfortable),

"What sort of movies do you like?" (Anything really, but mostly musical theatre and action, movies with big epic moments in them),

 "Who is your favourite actor?" (Now this response I didn't have to think about:  Sir Christopher Lee!) and finally,

 "Who is your favourite actress?" (I had to think about this one, and I shamefully made the crap decision of "Jenna Coleman from Doctor Who"...  Sorry Helena, I completely forgot about you...).  Then I was thanked for attending and told to put my application form with headshot into a box as I left, and that was it.  approximately 10 minutes the whole thing took, not even.

Overall I am so glad I went, because now if any more open auditions come up, I'll be able to remember this experience as my first.  I obviously wasn't told anything, so we'll see what happens in the future...

Safe to say I probably won't be involved in the making of Star Wars Episode VII... but who knows at this stage?  Only time will tell...

Kind Regards


Gordon H