So Monday came around, and this week I was on a road trip. 250 miles to Minneapolis, then 250 miles back.
Ever take a long, frivolous one day trip? Once I drove 800 miles to see a single concert (no extra credit for guessing who it was I drove to see.)
Hear the details of my audition, share your epic road trip stories, and MOJO MOJO MOJO each other to your heart's content.
Take my hand and let's GO! >>>
Guidelines:
Be nice to each other.
No big pictures (I am sure I am not the only one who crashes with big chunks of 1010101010 stuff)
Giveth and receiveth, let's all get mojo built up so we can tag.
So my pal hopped in my tiny car, and we headed up to the Twin Cities. I get about 35 mpg so I am not a HORRIBLE liberal, just a bad liberal. Apparently I passed the first round of questioning and was invited to attend a second round. WOW! I must be GREAT! Well, not so much. On the 50 question test there is some magic (secret) bar you must clear. Everybody who clears is put in a pot. After a random selection, some get to move to the next round.
5 groups, 20 in a group in each city. We take another written test, they grade it immediately. No results are ever given. They arrange the 20 in some order, and we play. 6 categories, 3 questions per, 3 people at a time.
After that, a minute or so of interview with each one. What will you do with the winnings, a little anecdote... just like on TV.
Everyone is told You Are In The Contestant Pool! But they admit that most are only in the pool in the loosest sense of the word. You will never get a call. The pool goes for 18 months, then you can try again.
Good News: I held my own with everybody. I think in a full on game of any trivia type event I would have been in the top 5 of the 20 there.
Bad News: I think once you pass that bar the level of skill is not a factor. Being articulate and having a good story are much more valuable. Me? A man between 35-50 who has a wonky job with a large company... let's just say I was not memorable for any of those things. I am glad I didn't knock myself out studying (or even watching the show more than I usually do), I wish I had spent more time trying to think of clever, funny ways to tell my wonderful tidbits in 20 seconds or less.
I'm not holding my breath for a callback. It would mean flying to LA at my expense on 2 weeks notice. If I had known what role randomness and first impressions were going to play, I don't know that I would have spent the $75 or so in gas, food and parking that it took.
I'm not very adept at being social, making people like me at first glance, or just generally overpowering them with my presence. I was relaxed, enjoyed the process, did well on the knowledge portion, but never felt like I was making a connection with the people.
Thank you to the people who gave advice and encouragement, sorry I am not going to make a million dollars with that help.
So tell us about an interview, audition or something else that you have done. Or talk about a road trip you did on the spur of the moment. Hell, just pop in and use a strange word so you can collect mega-mojo. Just relax and enjoy this small corner of hospitality.