Amanda Pfeiffer as Candace
Character Description
Candace can't help it. She's just being honest. She's unapologetically herself and one gets the feeling her son would know that and not be surprised. She's trying to stay strong and not show too much emotion, maybe to a fault. So when she does show a little emotion, it goes a long way.
Scene Description
Candace's teenage son has been in an accident and lies in the hospital bed in a coma. No one else has joined her yet. Unsure of whether he can hear her or not, she talks to him. The problem is she's in her head and what comes out might not be what most moms might say. But she's not like most moms.
Written by Shelly Paino
Jake Wayne Hastings
ActorYESSSS AMANDA! You nailed it with the emotions in your eyes. I have watched so many tapes of this same audition, and I felt you really embodied the character's emotions. The pause before talking to your son was powerful. You allowed the moment to flow, and you didn't speak until it felt right. Your lighting, background, and audio are great. You would be the right fit for this role.
Jarod O'Flaherty
FilmmakerWow! If you keep dominating like this, Amanda, people are gonna start giving up and leaving the platform! But seriously, great job. You were THERE in the moment, and I grew to like this character and root for her in just three minutes.
As for notes, the opening line about “I couldn’t make Jell-O” is definitely the hardest. I feel like Candace would just blurt it out because she doesn’t know where to start. Almost mad about not knowing what to say. And it did feel like a bit too much smiling and composure throughout for someone who is a wreck and a mess.
Clint Hankinson
ActorWow! Brilliant Amanda! Love everything. Loved the pacing. Loved how you transitioned from the anxiety of the call to the tenderness of the time with your son. I could see what you were feeling every second. This could be cut and pasted directly into the scene.
One idea to consider so you didn't waste 3 tokens reading this. Might lean forward throughout the talk with your son so it looks like your holding his hand. Off to grab another tissue now! Such amazing work!
Tommy G. Kendrick
ActorAmanda, just terrific, honest, pro work all the way. I see you have a good agent in Houston and if the world were fair you'd have many more film/tv credits than I see on IMDb. This is a great example of what a bookable self tape looks like. Not only was your acting top notch but your background and wardrobe colors worked beautifully together. Well done. If I weren't already in your fan club, I'd join right away.
Buddy Campbell
ActorI really enjoyed this tape. Production wise, it was flawless. Great lighting, quality sound, you were well centered, you wore nothing that was distracting. You hit a great tone for a mom. You showed genuine concern, fear, sorrow, and satisfaction as you reminisce. You weren't over the top with despair. I totally believed your tears. The only possible improvement I see is maybe look a bit more "weathered" by this event. Maybe a bit more smeared makeup from crying, with maybe a bit more messed up hair from running your fingers through it as you waited. Overall, I thought you were outstanding!
Steve Toft
ActorCaptivating performance.
My only "constructive" criticism is that I would have preferred to see you look different directions from when you were on the phone and when you were addressing your child.
I was so happy to see you keep up a faster pace than many also.
Great job.
Chris Marks
ActorThat was beautiful. I've seen multiple tapes of this scene and I always invisioned it being done in an organic way, but no one ever read it like that. But, you did. The flow of emotions was spot on with your performance.
Katy Fulkerson
ActressBeautiful job! I love the phone call, believable, with nice reactions. Great job on levels & pacing-varying those up gave nice peaks & valleys! My favorite part- “you were perfect!” SO beautiful-full of raw emotion, 100 percent believable! GREAT JOB!
Things to think about: Beginning- take a beat to set up place & why you say 1st line. Environment- experiment with ways to indicate you’re in the hospital/interacting with “son” more. Ending-nice emotion, perhaps a last beat-button. What happens after last line? A look, physical action…
Anita Cordell
ActressGreat self tape. I liked your pauses and your slow climb emotionally. Your whole setup was great and your tone was believable. Great job. Well done and thanks for showing us your work.
Jose C. Quinones
ActorGreat connection both with the person on the other side of the phone and taking your time to connect with the person "in the room". Enjoyed it!
