Casting for a British and Canadian accent, EH!

This was the original posting for this casting call:


Sid Paterson Advertising is casting for non-union on camera talents for buyout. We are casting for “Real People” roles, both male and female, between the ages of 25 – 50, plus one child. Looking for both English speaking and bilingual Spanish and English speaking, as well as dialect talent in British, Canadian, Indian, Mexican, Argentinean and Peruvian. Also non-speaking roles. Must be welcoming and personal.


So you would think that this would be a perfect role for me. I went to this casting call over on Madison avenue. I went up to the 6th floor and signed in and then sat in the waiting area, and waited and waited some more. I went in there wearing my Canadian emblem with a maple leaf hat and Canadian "Moose" shirt. There was NO way anyone could compete with me on this one. Had this in the bag....or so I thought.

There were several different types in the waiting room. You had the model "Untouchable" types, the "way too pretty" types, the "delicate flower" types, and a couple of Indians, and Hispanics. Most of them were auditioning for the "Middle America" role.

For the role I was auditioning for doing the "British-Canadian" part, there was NO ONE else in that room for the role I went for. Being this fact, and knowing that I didn't have to compete with the "fresh young nubiles", gave me the confidence that I needed to get this role.

So finally after 3 hours, my name is called "Anne Canada". I storm into the audition room with my Canadian emblems and say "Guess where I'm from? Eh!" So I immediately went in front of the camera, slated my name and then proceeded with the audition. The line was "We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City." I did it first in Canadian, which is my regular voice and then in British.

They loved it!! They asked me to do the line in British again an I was on a role. The director even told me that I have "Betty Davis eyes". I mean what a huge compliment. Then I was joking with the director about Canada. "How many Canadians does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Then he asks me "Is the population in Canada still 500,000?" I respond, "No actually it's only 499,00 after Celine Dion left us!"

I left the room with a great feeling and on top of it I had the entire room laughing and I knew they were interested me. Even the receptionist was asking me where I perform and all. I knew I nailed this part. I left that place happy and my head held up high!

A couple of days later I get this e-mail from them:

Hey Anne This is Dara from the Sid Paterson Casting for IDTI was wondering if it would be possible to get a recording of you saying this line with a Canadian accent and a British accent?
"We'd call our daughter in the States. She just moved to New York City."

Let me know!

Awesome I thought, this means I got the part!!!! I responded to her Yes I am available to do this role and for her to send me details. So Monday goes by, nothing. Tuesday goes by and still no word, nothing. On Wednesday I call up that office and ask to speak to her and I get put through the voice messaging system.

I leave a message and basically say that I would like to speak with her and I am a little confused to what she is asking, and if she could get back to me to clarify. Very professional and to the point. Thursday goes by and still no word. I figure I will give it until Friday before I try calling again.

I went out and did my regular job, get home to check my e-mails and LO and Behold there is an e-mail from her. I was getting excited and before I opened it I was thinking "well I guess she took so long in getting back to me because she has been busy.

Here is the e-mail she sends me:

Hey Anne!Sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you.By the time I had a moment to schedule something with you to hear more accents, the client decided on someone else and it was off to 2 days of shooting! Thank you though for getting back to me. Hope all is well!

CAN YOU F'IN BELIEVE THIS?????? I e-mail her back because I was really angry and upset. First off all for having me wait around so long and to make me believe that I had the role. On top of it HOW MANY CANADIANS WHO CAN DO A BRITISH ACCENT IN NEW YORK ARE THERE?????

I mean this is such a HUGE slap in the face. I really don't think I will get over this one. I mean if I can't even get a role as a Canadian, being an authentic Canadian..then what in the world is the "right role" for me??? Unbelievable. I am SO upset over this right now I can't even breathe. I give up. This has really done it.

Sigh :(