Melody Elise Calhoun as Abby
Character Description
Abby, a single, 30-something copywriter, is a persistent optimist but her positive attitude is waning after a morning of bad luck threatens to ruin her birthday and her prospects for love.
Scene Description
After a terrible morning full of bad luck, Abby finds an excuse to make her way, yet again, to her office's front desk reception area. She's hoping to have a run-in with the cute UPS delivery guy she has a crush on and have some good luck for a change. It's her birthday, after all.
Written by Amanda Pfeiffer
Pat Wesson
Actorthought she came off flirty,she became character
Mark Miertschin
ActorGood job! It looks like you have really good comedic instincts. Were you in a chair? Standing would have been better IMO. I understand self tape limitations, not sure there would be a dog barking at the office.
Clint Hankinson
ActorGreat job Melody! I loved the animation of your character. Could clearly see your relationship with your different scene partners - your excitement when the delivery guy came in and your disappointment when the flowers weren't for you.
One thought - the background was a little distracting. Might tighten your shot even more so we can see you better and less of the room behind you. Just a thought!
Jake Wayne Hastings
ActorI enjoyed watching how expressive you are with your face and your eyes. That is your strong suit as an actress. As for improvements:
1. I'm not sure if you forgot to edit down your framing to fit your backdrop, but your background is distracting.
2. Invest in a shotgun mic or a wireless lav-style mic. It will improve your audio. Do a retake if a dog barks during your taping.
3. You looked directly into the camera in the first few seconds. That is a no-no in the film world unless it is specified to "break the 4th wall".
I hope this helps! Good job.
Wendy Cyr
ActressMelody,
I enjoyed the awkwardness you used, you portrayed that well. I was confused as to why you rolled in and didn't just do it standing. It was a choice that seemed odd. It took a bit for me to get into it because I was confused, but I enjoyed the awkward nature of your portrayal that seemed to fit the script, so I let that confusion go. Be sure to keep your eyes on whereever you place your invisible scene partners. You did that well with UPS guy but Jenna seemed to jump from 1 place to the other.
You really had some good choices and follow through. Well done.
Wendy
Tommy G. Kendrick
ActorI'll bet you are a hoot on stage! And that is a good thing. But if you want to audition for film and tv you need to think about the frame. Visualize yourself in the camera frame and think about how each expression and gesture will look on a 50" tv or a movie screen 90' wide and 30' tall. EVERY movement, every eyebrow raise, every blink is exaggerated. Just think about fitting into a frame and using stillness (not stiffness) to express your character. Look at a movie like WORKING GIRL and watch Melanie Griffith's performance. A BIG character that never feels like over acting. Go get 'em.
